As one golfer at The Home Front Cares Veteran’s Cup tournament mused, “I’d like to live here!” –such was the sentiment from the participants in the tournament once again held at the beautiful Sanctuary (presented by Re/Max) golf course in Sedalia.
With the waterfalls, sweeping vistas, glorious views and challenging tees, the participants didn’t really care how they golfed–it was enough to be in such a magnificent place, have fun, and support such a great cause.
As if spending the day in as close to Nirvana as you can get in Colorado, the golfers later enjoyed a scrumptious buffet served up by Sanctuary staff and learned who the winners were in the tournament. Executive Director April Speake welcomed everyone, and major supporter Jay Warwick (who consistently gives not a portion, but ALL of his designated day’s sales at his HuHot Mongolian Grill to THFC) told attendees why he does this–according to him “it’s just something you do…it’s not optional.”
Most tournament and prize winners donated their prizes back to veterans in attendance. It’s just another way to thank them for their service.
The Home Front Cares provides emergency and responsive support and grants for Colorado’s military members, veterans and their families, who have been impacted by service to our Nation. In fiscal year 2016, they provided over $400,000 in grants in Colorado to more than 300 veterans, service members and their families.They provided resource coordination to over 1,200 clients so that they could find the emotional, financial or vocational hope and help they needed to get back on track. Whether it’s a utility bill or a car installment or a house payment, veterans need not feel alone and often the assistance that THFC gives is enough to give them that step up to be OK.
It’s the least we can do for those who serve for us and our country, and as Jay Warwick reminds us, “it is not optional.”
For more information about THFC, log on to www.thehomefrontcares.org.
Gregg Robles, left, and George Hayward
Christina Webb and Sydney Squire from THFC
Rick Crandall pitched in as radio announcer before the tournament
The Home Front Cares’ mission
Larry Prince, left, and Randy Bishop
Tempting silent auction items
“Operation TBI Freedom”
John Coyle, left, Barry Patterson and Samantha Miller helping to greet guests
Nick Dunagan, left, Clint Byrd, Steve Speake and Chris Sack, HuHot Team 1
Jason Wirth, left, Andy Vap, Michael O’Shea and Jay Warwick, Team HuHot 2
Heuser & Heuser was welcomed as a new sponsor this year
Monty Hatch, Ed Collins, Mark Vujcevic and Tom McClung, Gazette team
Matthew Favier, Mark Unverzagt, Peggy McKinlay and Travis Flett, All Colorado Beer Festival team
Scott Richardson, left, Mitch Mann, George Koury, Dallas Massey, Coach Calhoun (Air Force Academy) team
Sam Farnsworth, left, Jesse Kurtz, Mark Martinez, Ben Winzenried, KKTV/Carrabbas/Navy Federal
Dan Wright, left, Vivi Glorid, Marty Jensen, John Spine, Gloriod 4-some
Derek and Denise Cohn, left, and Danny and Becky Mientka, Team Mientka
Adam and Chris patrolling the course
Brad Buchanan, left, Will Merced, Matt Benn and Keith Sawarynsi, KMGH team
Jeff Kostenko, left, Bryce Bervig, Bret Butler and Hans Schwarz, Larry Miller team
Paul Anderson volunteered at one of the hole contests
Getting ready for a good pitch
Mike Allen, left, Bill Stahelin, Tim Bernard, Derek Huff, Larry MIller team 2
The spectacular clubhouse
Aaron Stunkard and Tyler Graham
Kuni Lexus of Colorado Springs was a sponsor
Volunteers John Coyle, left, Greg Hammond, Roger Meyers and Gregg Robles
Glenn Pierre, left, Bob Manderfield, Kevin Kaveney, Steve Moffat, Team Kuni Lexus
Keith Hui, left, Mike Bartol, Jeremy Henderson, Jim Crocker, Lockheed Martin/Veterans team
Chloe Debus helped out with one of the hole contests
Adrian Nunez, left, Tanner Salmon, Luke Webb and Ally Zimmerman, Loaf ‘N Jug/Veterans group
THFC Ruth Wilson and Grayson Wilson
First Data was a sponsor
THFC Director April Speake with the Lockheed Martin retirees team
Len Jenkins, left, Kent Traylor, Bob Peterson and Douglas Diederich, LH Martin retirees team
Ryan Hofscheier, left, George Hayward, Barry Patterson
Kevin Estrem, left, Wilt Cooper, Bill Ryan, Candi Meyers, Modern Woodmen team
John Henke, left, Russ Welker, John McCauley, Mike Maiurro
Barry Johnson, left, Mike McMeekin, Todd Bagby, Tim Jenness, team Orbital ATK
Jim Snyder, left, Chris Detone, Fred Brown, Pete VanDyke, team Phil Long
Tad Polumbus, left, Rob Levine, Peter Teets and Gary Polumbus, team Pete Teets
Jamie Macaluso, left, Krysta Bearish, Chris Deangelo, Mike Lovette, Time Warner/HuHot vets team
Rob Quinn, left, Grant Schneider, Levi Lenon, Jake Presti, team Veterans United
Jason Lord, left, Joe Farwell, Jed Danbury, Keith Oliver, UBS team
Wes Caldwell, left, Paul Perra, Jeremy Walker, Beth Braaten, Colorado Technical University team
Doug Butler, left, Matt Spang, Rob Altenbernd, Brad Butler CTU Veterans 4-some
Gary Bain, left, Jack Sharon, Tony Pryzbyslawski, Andy Cain, Chairmen’s 4-some
Jim Brooke, left, Melissa Smith, Larry Price, Fred Hinton, Loaf ‘N Jug Vets team
Mick Yelovich of Charity Golf International and Paul Anderson were holding a contest on one of the holes
David Kaplan, left, John Mattie, Ari Opsahl, Anheuser-Busch/Modern Woodmen vets
Mark Tiernan, left, Eric Gray, Steve Smith, Kurt Rocco, one of the HuHot teams
Robert and Susan Hilty, from sponsor Modern Woodmen of America, Chapter 7226
Pete Peterson and Carolyn DeKok
Carolyn DeKok chats with Pete Teets
Carolyn and Boyd Adams
The winning trophies
Marilyn Prost, left, Dave Tohlen (THFC board vice-chair) and his daughter Heather Lyon
Spectacular views from the Sanctuary
Board member Al Batey and Marilyn Prost
Hannah Henry attended on behalf of sponsor Heuser & Heuser
Fr Paul Anderson gave the dinner prayer
Bob Peterson was the emcee
Veterans stand to be recognized
Executive Director April Speake thanks everyone for their support
April Speake talks about some of THFC programs
Title sponsor Jay Warwick, HuHot Mongolian Grill
Jay Warwick talks about why he supports THFC
Jay Warwick gives Danny Mientka his prize for winning the putting contest
Vivi Gloriod and Jay Warwick–she won women’s longest drive
Scott Richardson is congratulated by Jay Warwick for his men’s longest drive
Team Gloriod won 3rd Place
Jay Warwick’s HuHot team won 2nd place
Team Coach Calhoun won 1st place
One of the prize drawing winners gives his prize to veteran Matt Spang
Jay Warwick and Bob Peterson
Jay Warwick thanks veteran NIck Dunagan for his service
Amy Cutler, program manager; Tammi Tiefel and Susette Ryan, case managers; Ruth Fischer-Wilson, office manager; Christina Webb, development manager; Samantha Miller, development coordinator
Invocation:
Paul Anderson
Speaker:
April Speake, NIck Dunagan, Jay Warwick
Sponsors:
Title sponsor: HuHot Mongolian Grill; Patriot Sponsor: Colorado Technical University; Freedom Sponsor: All Colorado Beer Festival; Old Glory Sponsors: Veterans United Foundation, Phil Long Automotive Group; Good Citizen Sponsors: Modern Woodmen Fraternal Financial, The Honorable Peter and Vivian Teets, Orbital ATK; Special Partners, Hole In One Sponsors: Larry H Miller Dealerships, Kuni Lexus of Colorado Springs; Hole Sponsors: Air Academy Federal Credit Union, Charity Golf International, Esthetic Family Dentistry, First Data, Heuser and Heuser, IMG, MDVIP--Dr. Kent Olvey, Raytheon, TD Support Services; Media Sponsors: The Gazette, ABC 7News;
Board of Directors:
Dr. Andy Cain, Chair; Col. David R. Tohlen, USAF (Ret),Vice Chair; Mr. John Dunker, Secretary; Mr. Brad Whitten, CPA, Treasurer; Ms. Rita F. Worster, CPA; Mr. Lars Bergstrom, Esq.; Mr. Joe Carlson; Mr. Scott Hallam; Advisory Board Chair: Mr. Tom Krebs; Mrs. Michelle Rau