Unforgettables Get Legendary Golf Help

REDLANDS>> The Unforgettables Foundation founded in Highland, California and headquartered in neighboring Redlands, California has gotten some legendary help to raise money from leading PGA Tour Champions golfers during the past two decades, to benefit hundreds of Inland California families. Over its 17-year lifespan, the Inland Empire-founded charity, which annually aids 250 plus financially challenged at-risk families with funeral expenses for their child, has raised hundreds of dollars in partnership with many golf professionals. Beginning in 2001, TUF founder Tim Evans, who was the Children’s Chaplain of Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital at the time, formed the Unforgettable Charity Golf Classic in close collaboration with Redlands-based PGA “Senior Tour” star David K. Stockton and his family. Playing at Tukwat Canyon course in Beaumont, California and then at Redlands Country Club for 6 years, the ground breaking Southern California fundraiser saw former Ryder Cup Captain Stockon and his sons David Jr. and Ronnie put on a skills clinic and host the tournament. The tournament was assisted by their friends Gary McCord and Don Pooley, who have roots in Riverside, California; Mark Johnson of Barstow, California; Morris Hatalsky of Los Angeles, California; Larry Nelson of Georgia; Hubert Green of Alabama; Troy Martin of Nebraska and other Tour luminaries and legends. This special annual happening gave the cause a solid financial start. For the early 2000’s, no other Pro-AM format event existed like The Unforgettable Charity Golf Classic in the Inland Empire area. The fan buzz about Stockton and his fellow golfers like Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, David Graham and others donating auction items, brought special excitement to the hometown outing. The Stockton family – husbands and wives- contributed many hours to create this project to help their own community. In 2008, following event changes, The Unforgettables began a new partnership with Tom Pernice, Jr. who was living in Temecula, California and whose daughter, Brooke Pernice, a singer, was a volunteer for the nonprofit charity. He volunteered to host TUF’s co-sponsored golf charity with Kiwanis at Victoria Club in Riverside and that contact soon morphed into the Tom Pernice Jr. Charity Golf Classic which has helped The Unforgettables for 8 years at mostly Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta, California - early on as a shared event with The Children and Family’s Foundation of Corona, California. Pernice and the family have, like the Stockton’s, raised many needed dollars for grieving families in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. The recent Tom Pernice’s two-day golf event hosted a dozen PGA Tour Champions including Woody Austin, Joe Durant, Kenny Perry, Fred Funk, Glen Day, Bob Tway, Todd Hamilton, Michael Allen, Lee Janzen, Olin Browne, Wes Short, Jr. and Carlos Franco. Up-and-coming pros Kevin Dougherty, Collin Yost and Josh Anderson came as did PGA Tour star Charlie Hoffman from San Diego. Dignity Memorial, BMW of Murrieta, Lucas Oil, Cobra Puma Golf, Frys, Titleist, Temecula Roofing Company, Golden Spoon and ROI Networks are some sponsors. Beyond the efforts of Pernice and Stockton as Inland Empire golf stars, John Cook, who lived in Ranch Mirage and Orange County, hosted a shoot-out golf event at Classic Club in Palm Desert for two years in 2010 and 2011. Mark Johnson, now retired after being the winner of the 2009 Toshiba Classic in Newport Beach, recently hosted the Inaugural Unforgettable Golf Classic in Las Vegas for the groups newest chapter. “These guys are (good) and do good,” he said. A PGA motto. The board and volunteers of The Unforgettables agree.