A local Columbia golf team had the rare opportunity to not only play the nation’s most famed fairways as part of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Cadillac Golf Classic National Finals, but also to walk away first place finishers.
More than 54 teams played in the scramble format tournament Jan. 13 to 15, taking on the signature holes of the Monterey Peninsula: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Del Monte Golf Course and The Links at Spanish Bay.
The first-place Columbia foursome, comprised of Walter Hutto, Tony Golembesky, Edward Hinson and Mark Palmer, shot a three-day total of 183, 33 strokes under par. They qualified for the national finals after winning the NKF Cadillac Golf Classic of the Midstate held at Woodcreek County Club in October 2011.
The NKF Cadillac Golf Classic is an amateur golf event for charity with 40 events held throughout the country from March through December each year. It raises more than $4 million for the National Kidney Foundation. The NKF Cadillac Golf Classic is a scramble style golf event, providing for a competitive yet social day of golf for both new golfers and experienced low-handicappers.
The top three finishing teams in each local tournament are invited to compete in the NKF Cadillac Golf Classic National Finals at the Pebble Beach Resorts, where teams play a 54-hole tournament on the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Del Monte Golf Course and the Links at Spanish Bay – the only event of its kind.
Since 1987, more than 280,000 golfers have teed off to help fight kidney disease, raising more than $80 million for the cause. Funds raised through the tournament help support National Kidney Foundation programs in early detection of chronic kidney disease, public education, research and patient advocacy.
For more information about kidney disease or the NKF Cadillac Golf Classic Tournament series visit www.nkfgolfclassic.org.
