Drive toward self-sufficiency

The scenic fairways of the Mesa Verde Country Club echoed the whip-like sound of drivers slicing through the air and the distinctive ‘ping’ of club-and-ball contact Monday, but unlike the usual round of golf at the club, this competition was for a good cause.

Serving People In Need’s annual Orange County Legends of Golf tournament raises money for the Costa Mesa-based group dedicated to helping the homeless.

Last year’s tournament raised $25,000 for the organization. Tournament Chairman Sean Loftus said Serving People In Need, like all charities, is constantly on the lookout for funding.

“It’s feast or famine for a lot of charities out there,” Loftus said.

The organization aims to provide the tools people need to live on their own. Jean Wegener, Serving People In Need’s executive director, said the organization’s program lays the foundation for people to help themselves.

“We’re guiding families and individuals into permanent housing, substance abuse recovery, and self sufficiency,” Wegener said.

Of all the people who land in the group’s care, 85% successfully complete the self-sufficiency program, Wegener said.

Loftus originally got involved in the organization in high school, but recently came back to lend his time, and a few swats to a cause he is passionate about.

Having a hand in helping the homeless community has been special to him.

“When you see the fact that you actually are helping, it’s rewarding,” Loftus said.

But golfers are drawn to the tournament for more than the cause it supports. Serving People In Need takes care to make the tournament fun as well as philanthropic.

Mesa Verde’s course is a treat for golf enthusiasts in itself, Wegener said.

“This is a golfer’s golf course,” Wegener said. “When the pros come to Orange County to golf, they often request to play Mesa Verde.”

The tournament offered competitors gifts for winning standard contests like closest-to-the-pin and longest-drive.

Foursomes had the opportunity to have a group ball smashed 350 yards by last year’s longest drive winner, Jeff Farley.

Farley is a former professional golfer who does about 40 charity demonstrations of his long drives a year.

Each player pays Farley $10 to take the shot, which goes to Serving People In Need.

Farley puts on a show with his powerful swing, even taking a trick shot from his knees that would still be the envy of many a weekend golfer.

“It brings good fun into it,” Farley said.

The tournament also featured a sprinkling of well-known sports figures including former NFL cornerback Ashley Ambrose and CNN sports anchor Ray D’Alessio, who hosted the evening’s dinner and awards ceremony.