Hathaway-Sycamores’ Final Shot-at-a-Million Golf Classic

For nearly two decades, Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services has held an annual golf-centered fundraiser; for the last seven years, this event has featured the opportunity for participants to sink a hole-in-one and walk away one-million-dollars richer. While this link-centric fundraiser was retired following its May 15 finale at Angeles National Golf Club in Sunland, supporters drove home their commitment to helping those contending with serious life challenges.

Specifically, the event raised approximately $75,000 to help fund the crucial therapeutic and other vital support services that leading children’s mental health and welfare agency Hathaway-Sycamores provides annually to thousands of Southern-California children, youth, young adults, and families. And in the 20 years of Hathaway-Sycamores’ golf events, dating back to 1996 at Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena, over $2.5 million has been raised.

Although the fundraiser didn’t mint a new millionaire, it did attract close to 200 attendees. Those whose strength is stamina opted for the Longest Day of Golf, in which participants started early and enjoyed a full day playing at their own pace on this Jack Nicklaus-designed course. For those golfers only available in the afternoon, there was the 9-Hole Team Challenge, in which teams of two competed in a two-person scramble “scratch” format.

For those who preferred joining in as the sun set behind the scenic Angeles National Forest, there was the 19th Hole After-Party on the Club’s beautiful back patio overlooking the 18th green. Guests enjoyed catered refreshments, music, and the opportunity to bid on unique auction items or win the top raffle prize of a trip for two to the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui.

After-Party attendees additionally had the opportunity to hear from two young men and one young woman who – after being emancipated from foster care when they turned 18 – had no place to call home. This trio’s plight, while heartbreaking, is far from unusual. In fact, it’s estimated that – in Los Angeles County – 50 percent of foster youth become homeless within six months of emancipation. Fortunately, these three were referred to Hathaway-Sycamores’ Transitional Independent Living Program (TILP) which provides emancipated foster youth with housing, employment assistance, educational guidance, as well as the skills needed to live independently. As a result of Hathaway-Sycamores’ TILP – which is among the largest in the Greater Los Angeles area – these three have gone on to build happy, healthy, productive lives.

Hathaway-Sycamores Board Chair Michael Galper thanked the guests for coming, and added, “What today is really about are the kids who we serve every day – kids who are often forgotten in the midst of budget cuts and fiscal crises, kids who face incredible obstacles to success each and every day, kids who are immeasurably special but are rarely given the change to prove it. These are the kids that we’re here to support today, and they’re the kids that the talented people of Hathaway-Sycamores will keep on believing in tomorrow.