San Manuel Casino, in partnership with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, hosted its 21st Annual San Manuel Golf Tournament on July 16 and July 17, 2019, raising more than $275,000 for five impactful Native American non-profit organizations from across the country. Over 600 golfers teed off in support of the annual charity event held on two ocean-view golf courses at Pelican Hill Resort Club in Newport Beach and produced by Orange County Golf Events & ChariTee Consulting.
This year, San Manuel’s Charitable Giving Program selected five deserving non-profit organizations focused on education, health, economic and community development, or special projects to honor with the proceeds from this annual event. The 2019 tournament charity recipients included: California Consortium for Urban Indian Health (CCUIH), California Indian Legal Services (CILS), Chief Seattle Club from Seattle, Washington, Haskell Foundation in Lawrence, Kansas and Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation (TVCDC) based on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Each organization will receive approximately $55,000 in unrestricted funds that will provide financial support through college scholarships, health services and cultural development for tribal communities.
“Even in our 21st year, I am continually amazed by the generosity of our sponsors and partners to continue San Manuel’s mission of assisting philanthropic organizations in the broader community,” said Lynn Valbuena, Chairwoman of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “These five organizations are dedicated to improving the lives of so many Native American communities across the nation and we are so proud to be in a position where we can help. The tournament is just one of the many ways San Manuel embodies a culture of giving back.”
Over the last 20+ years, the annual San Manuel Golf Tournament has donated more than $1.6 million in charitable funds to 36 non-profit organizations.
O.C. Golf Events President and Owner Joe Sperazza, Jr says, “We produce over 50 large golf events per year, none bigger or more exciting than San Manuel’s annual tournament. We look forward to collaborating with them each year and bringing that first in class experience San Manuel Casino is known for to a grand stage.”
Presenting sponsors of the tournament included Penta and Imagine This. Other title sponsors included Sukut Construction, Aristocrat, Everi, and Team Bolden. San Manuel Casino was also joined by their sports partners from the LA Galaxy, LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, LAFC and the Las Vegas Golden Knights.