Golf tourney raises $5,000 for Republican candidates

The Maricopa Republican Club hosted a golf tournament at The Duke Friday and raised more than $5,000 to support the club and Republican candidates in Pinal County. A modest field of 29 players competed in the inaugural event, raising the impressive sum with the help of hole sponsors, a raffle and silent auction.

The club’s president, Marty Hermanson, said the funds will be used to develop promotional materials encouraging people to vote the Republican slate – “from John McCain to constable” – in November. Hermanson said the funds will also allow the club to “get more involved with community events.”

“For the first one it was a successful event,” said Hermanson, citing the August weather and having only two months for planning as obstacles the club overcame. He said next year’s event will be in October and that “This will definitely become an annual event.”

The chairman of the Arizona Republican Party, Randy Pullen, was among the players and said the tournament showed the enthusiasm that is in Maricopa and Pinal County. “The Republicans are energized and have high expectations,” Pullen noted. “I think it’s our year down here.”

Pullen told the group of golfers, members and volunteers he thinks Tom Ridge, formerly the Secretary of Homeland Security and a two-time governor of Pennsylvania, will be named as John McCain’s running mate on Friday. “That’s my best guess,” Pullen said, downplaying any perception of possessing insider information. “Take it for what it’s worth, which is not much.”

Several of the candidates were also in attendance, including:
• Paul Babeu (Pinal County Sheriff)
• John Fillmore (State House of Representatives District 23)
• Steve Fuller (Superior Court Judge District 6)
• Tom Hollenabach (Pinal County Board of Supervisors District 3)
• Frank Pratt (State House of Representatives District 23)
• Dan Washburn (Superior Court Judge District 6)

A team sponsored by Native New Yorker ran away with the first place prize, shooting a 58 and besting the second place team by seven strokes.

1st Place (58) – Team Native New Yorker
• Pat Kieny
• Henry Trevino
• James Dawson
• Dave Nelhus

2nd Place (65) – Team Central Arizona College
• Russ Banta
• Doris Helmich
• John Irvine
• Dennis Jenkins

Photos by Scott Bartle and Dick Barkley