Weather, helicopter make for perfect JWC tournament

BY Aprile McKinnon

The annual Canyon Lake Junior Women‘s Golf Tournament was a hit for so many reasons. The weather was perfect. The course was lush. The helicopter ball drop went on without a hitch. A raffle awarded tons of prizes. Oh…and 98 golfers played some golf.

In addition to the tournament, the highlight of the day was a dramatic “Golf Ball Drop” by a helicopter hovering over the putting green.

A chance to win $1,000 was at stake for those who purchased one of the 500 golf balls that were dropped out of the helicopter in hopes that one would find its way to one of the holes. Todd Williams’ golf ball was the one that dropped into a hole first and he took home the prize of the day.

“I would like to say thanks to the organizers,” Todd, a Canyon Lake resident, said. “It was a really fun day, and one of the best golf events of the year here.”

Three bags of golf balls were dropped from the helicopter. Inside the helicopter were Jenniver Lawrence, who helped hand the bags one by one to Renee Griffiths who released them out the helicopter door.

“They had to take the door off of the helicopter so I could drop the balls out,” Renee said. “Glad my seatbelt worked.”

Brenda Schwetz, a Canyon Lake resident, was the helicopter pilot. She works for Waverider Helicopter Tours.

The tournament was full of excitement as well.

There was a hole in one. Tanner Rogers, 24, accomplished the golden feat. Although a remarkable and memorable achievement, it would have been worth much more if it had been on Hole 11, where a contest rewarded a hole in one.

The foursome of Greg Roberts, Brook Spelman, Mark Margolin, and Michael Zimmerman came in first place in the tournament. Each of the four received a $25 gift card and their names on the perpetual trophy at the Canyon Lake Country Club.

Karla Schrader won the “Women’s Closest to the Pin” award and Brook Spelman won the “Men’s Closest to the Pin” award. KK Beecher took the award of “Women’s Longest Drive,” while Greg Roberts won the “Men’s Longest Drive” award.

There were many Canyon Lakers who came by to support the event in ways other than playing in the tournament, ranging from purchasing raffle tickets to volunteering their time. Fundraising was done throughout the event, where money was made by the club not only with the golf fees, but with silent auctions, raffles and from various sponsors.

Range Rover was one of this year‘s largest sponsors out of Riverside and it had a new vehicle for all to see and take pictures with.

“We are so excited to have had another successful golf tournament,” Brenda Zingg, the chairperson of the event, said. “The money raised goes back to our community which is why we do it. Thank you to all who came out to play and who sponsored. Thank you to my most incredible team for putting on such an amazing event.”

Participants gathered early in the morning to stand in line to begin play at the tournament. As they signed in to play, volunteers passed out donuts and gave each player a goodie bag.

The golf tournament raises funds for the JWC Scholarship Fund. The club is in the process of selecting recipients for the scholarships and applications are currently being accepted.

As the helicopter over the putting green, Michelle Griffiths releases 500 golf balls in hopes one will drop into one of the holes. Indeed, one did and $1,000 was awarded to the ball’s owner, Todd Williams. Photo by Aprile DeAnne McKinnon.

Renee Griffiths launches the golf balls out the helicopter for the highly anticipated ball drop. Photo provided by JWC.

Iris Stricklin, Jennivore Dore, and Renee Griffiths crowd into a helicopter before the ball drop Saturday at the Canyon Lake Junior Women’s Club Golf Tournament. Photo by Aprile DeAnne McKinnon.

Todd Williams holds up the lucky golf ball he purchased that dropped into a hole on the putting green after it was dropped with 499 other balls from a helicopter Saturday. Todd won $1,000. Photo provided by Todd Williams

Canyon Lake Junior Women’s Club President Jonda Morton and Secretary Amanda Yates prep for the raffle during the club’s golf tournament Saturday. Photo by Kristen Schwarzman