1st Annual Anya Foundation Tournament

By Craig Hatfield, PGA

The 1st Annual Anya Foundation Junior Golf Championship, held at Tustin Ranch Golf Club, in Tustin, California was nothing less than a complete success. The event held over the weekend had rain on Saturday and gave way to mostly sunny skies Sunday. The golf course was in fabulous condition with the greens were running fast that yielded some low scoring, considering the wet conditions the players had to battle through on Saturday.

The tournament was the first of its kind in Southern California, which allowed caddies. It was a sea of yellow caddie bids that let all of us know Anya was with us. The Lazare family, in memory of their daughter Anya who was lost to a drowning accident, created the golf tournament.

The tournament was host to 144 players, some which came from as far away as Florida. There was plenty of excitement in all age divisions with the outcome on the final day not known until the last hole. The large gallery was entertained by a sudden-death playoff for the overall championship between Kenny Kim competing in Boys 16-17 and Brian Kim competing in Boys 14-15 both tied at 144 after 36 holes of play over the par 72, 6803 yards, layout. The ironic twist to all of this was that Brian's father had just flown in from Korea and was on the bag for Kenny. Kenny's Drive on #18 found the middle of the fairway while Brian's tee ball found the rough down the left side. Kenny's approach from a 112 yard downhill lie found the middle of the green 10 feet right of the flagstick and drew back to the front collar leaving him a with about 20 feet for birdie. Brian was a couple of yards closer, however he had a downhill/sidehill lie with the ball sitting down. His ball came to rest hole high just right of the green. His chip from about 30 feet just missed going in, sliding by on the low side and leaving him with an uphill 6 footer for par. Kenny's putt for birdie missed on the low side and he easily tapped in for his par 4. The stage was set, if Brian makes his putt its back to the 18th tee. Brain lipped out and Kenny became the overall Champion for 2003. What a tremendous finish to this inaugural event.

The post tournament festivities were fabulous with pasta lunches, awards and trophy presentation that mirrored a PGA Tournament event and the playing of the baby grand piano by Lyon, Sabrina and Foya, the brother and sisters of Anya who composed songs and produced a CD in her memory. For more information about Anya, the Foundation and CD, go to anyafoundation.com. Infinity Golf, Inc. along with the Lazare Family and the Foundation would like to express their deepest gratitude to the following sponsors, partners and affiliates for their generous contributions: Ben Hogan, Fidra, The Italian Depot, Allegro Restaurante, Titleist, Callaway Golf, Taylor Made, Pepsi, Cape Fresh Water, Coca Cola, I-Initial, Hansen, JV Media Design, Tustin Ranch Golf Club and the Southern California PGA.