Get Ready for a Day of Golf, Giving and Camaraderie
PORAC members, supporters and golf enthusiasts will soon gather in Seaside for a day of camaraderie and competition at the fourth annual POREF Open. Hosted by PORAC’s Region I, this year’s tournament will take place on April 24 at the Bayonet Golf Course. The event promises to offer amazing views, a great challenge and an opportunity to raise vital funds for the Peace Officers Relief and Education Foundation (POREF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports the families of fallen officers, offers educational scholarship grants and assists law enforcement in times of financial need.
With a shotgun start at 11 a.m., teams of four will compete in a scramble format, making for a fun and accessible experience for players of all skill levels. For the first time, the POREF Open is being hosted by an individual PORAC region rather than being held in conjunction with the Symposium, a shift that Region I Director Mike Pruger says will enhance the event’s impact.
“I believe that by having the regional format, it allows the chapters and the region to work as one in order to put on the event,” he explains. “It requires teamwork, and we would not be able to do it without the help from the Bay Area Chapter and Northern Chapter leadership. It gives Region I ownership of the event this year and allows for the other regions to also show what they have,” as the tournament will rotate throughout the state with each region taking a turn at hosting in subsequent years.
Pruger and Region I Director-at-Large Ryan Goodfellow, who together represent the largest region in PORAC, have been heavily involved in organizing this year’s event, “from picking a course to play at to helping PORAC leadership with gaining sponsorships. In the end, we will be able to take pride in how the event is run.”
With Region I at the helm, attendees can expect an elevated experience both on and off the course.
“Number one, the attendees can expect to play a world-class course,” Pruger says. “The Bayonet Golf Course used to be a part of the old Fort Ord and gets its name from the 7th Infantry Division, known as the ‘Bayonet Division,’ so it’s packed with history. The course itself is long and has some very challenging holes.”
Pruger adds that the region will also be introducing new twists to some of the on-course games.
“For instance, we will hold the long drive contest prior to the tournament even starting,” he explains. “This will be held on the 10th hole, right in front of everyone to enjoy. It is also a tournament where our members can bring their significant others to enjoy the beautiful Monterey Bay if they don’t care for golf.”
The Bayonet Golf Course was carefully selected for this year’s tournament, with Region I considering a variety of factors to ensure a prime location.
“Region I offers hundreds of miles of coastline — from Monterey County in the south to Del Norte County and the Oregon border in the north. We have so many beautiful courses to choose from,” Pruger says. “Bayonet offers the closeness to airports for those who are coming from out of town. We are hoping that some may stay and enjoy what the Monterey Bay has to offer, from the aquarium in Monterey to the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. When the other regions have the opportunity to host this event, these are the things we thought of when making the selection.”
Away from the course, there will be plenty of opportunities for members and their families to relax and have fun.
“There is no place like the Monterey Bay area for families to enjoy,” Pruger says. “We have secured a bargain rate at a local hotel, which is five minutes from the course and five minutes from the beach. The location of the course offers something for everybody. The course itself offers beautiful views from all over.”
At its core, the POREF Open is about much more than just golf — it’s about giving back.
“The Open allows for our 501(c)(3) to really flourish,” Pruger explains. “It allows us to increase the amount of money provided to children of members for scholarships. It allows us to help fund the California Police Officers’ Memorial, and, most importantly, it allows us to provide financial assistance to the law enforcement personnel and/or their families, or survivors of our members injured or killed in the line of duty. We are lucky to have those at PORAC who believe in this mission for all the right reasons. Come out and enjoy our event.”
To register for the POREF Open, visit PORAC.org/poref-open.