Riverside County Foundation on Aging golf tournament held in Palm Desert

Who doesn’t love a spectacular golf course that reopens for the season and holds, as its first tournament, the Riverside County Foundation on Aging’s 11th annual Charity Golf Tournament on Veteran’s Day?

Classic Club, an Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf course hosted this important event, themed “Golf Today for Seniors’ Tomorrows.” Golfers from across Riverside County participated to raise funds for the Riverside County Foundation on Aging, a nonprofit that honored and saluted veterans by providing them sponsorships to play in the tournament.

This fundraising event benefits older adults across Riverside County, and its successes are fundamental to the foundation’s ability to help older adults in need, many of whom are vulnerable, at risk and may also be homebound. This is to help provide support so they can age with dignity, respect and independence.

“Older adults in need throughout Riverside County will benefit greatly from the generous support of our sponsors, community partners and golfers who participated in this year’s golf tournament,” said Anna Martinez, the organization’s president.

Susie Maxwell Berning, 2022 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee and winner of 11 LPGA tournaments and three Women’s U.S. Open Titles, conducted the free putting clinic.

“I want to help seniors enjoy the game with a few tips to make their game better with their putter,” Berning said. “Putting is half their score.”

Golf tournament event sponsors include the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Riverside County Office on Aging, City of Rancho Mirage, Inland Empire Health Plan, Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, Safeguard Fontis, Von Zabern Surgical, Marron Lawyers, Bilhartz Insurance, City of Palm Desert, Abbott Vascular Division Temecula, Country Village Apartment Homes, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, United Domestic Workers Union, Joslyn Center, Ameriprise Financial, Pat and Leon Reynolds, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, PGA Tour Superstore, Stuft Pizza Bar & Grill, Fusion Sign and Design and the City of Indio.

Eagle sponsors Susan and Rob von Zabern shared why they lend their support. “This is our third year sponsoring the tournament,” Susan said. “We know there is a tremendous amount of work to produce the event, and we are honored to be a sponsor this worthy cause, especially saluting veterans.”

The golf tournament was followed by a luncheon, tourney awards, raffle drawings and a lively live auction. Gregory Coffos, Riverside County director of veteran services, was the guest speaker. “I had such a great time and was honored to be a part of the Foundation on Aging’s 11th annual golf tournament, where you know every stroke painted a canvas of compassion and support to our aging population,” he said. “I'm excited and looking forward to next year.”

About the Riverside County Foundation on Aging

The Riverside County Foundation on Aging is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity, incorporated in 2004. It serves as a catalyst leveraging public-private sector partnerships and resources to support existing and new and innovative solutions to meet emerging or urgent needs of older adults — especially those underserved and vulnerable.

To learn more, visit foaging.com.

Kathleen Bennett is the founder/principal of Resort Marketing, an award-winning company based in Palm Springs with the experience and expertise to assist in achieving the dreams and goals of each client. Since establishing her firm 26 years ago, Bennett consults in the fields of hospitality, business and nonprofit organizations. She is on the executive committee for the Palm Springs Walk of the Stars and still finds time to volunteer in the community.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Riverside County Foundation on Aging golf tournament held in Palm Desert