PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Matthew Wadlinger
Chief Brand Officer
714-619-0646
mwadlinger@casaoc.org
Third Annual CASA Classic Nets Nearly $220k for Youth in Foster Care
Orange, Calif. (September 30, 2026) – Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County held its third annual CASA Classic on Friday, September 25, at Monarch Beach Golf Links in Dana Point, bringing together 136 golfers and community leaders for a two-day celebration of philanthropy, connection and support for children in Orange County’s foster care system. The event raised $219,915 in fundraising revenue to support CASA of Orange County’s mission of providing children who have experienced abuse, neglect and abandonment with a trained volunteer advocate.
The festivities began Thursday evening, September 24, with the Golf & Glam Pre-Party, hosted by CASA OC Board Member Lucy Donahue. More than 60 CASA supporters gathered for an evening of celebration and philanthropy, contributing more than $100,000 through donations in support of CASA OC’s mission. The intimate gathering kicked off a weekend of events centered on bringing the community together to create brighter futures for children in foster care.
The following morning, golfers gathered at Monarch Beach Golf Links for breakfast and a Bloody Mary Bar before the shotgun start. The tournament featured a full day of on-course experiences and hospitality, culminating in an awards ceremony celebrating the day’s winners. The event has quickly become a signature fundraising experience for CASA OC, combining a premier golf experience with opportunities for supporters to make a meaningful impact on behalf of local children.
Throughout the tournament, golfers enjoyed special activations and challenges, including the Trackman Experience, sponsored by Harvey & Company LLC. Golfers also competed for prizes in Closest to the Pin, sponsored by Dave & Pam Harvey, and Beat the Pro, sponsored by TACORI. The tournament featured two Hole-in-One opportunities, including a chance to win a vehicle courtesy of Fletcher Jones Automotive Group and a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of STA Jets.
At the conclusion of the tournament, Blake Contardi, Jeff Guillaume, Ryan Cabral and Sukrit Vaswani were named the First Place Champions. MacKenzie Collins took home the prize for Closest to the Pin.
Left to Right: Jeff Guillaume, Blake Contardi, Nico Garcia, Sukrit Vaswani
The third annual CASA Classic was led by Tournament Chairs Massy Farzine, Pamela & David Harvey, Ian McDermott, Lourdes & Ted Nark, John Nye, Wendy & Larry Tenebaum, Lauren & Michael Wong, and Linda & Burton Young. Jay Nugent and Paul Tacorian served as Advisory Chairs, providing leadership and guidance in support of the event’s continued growth.
“The CASA Classic is a wonderful example of what can happen when our community comes together around a shared commitment to children,” said Regan Dean Phillips, CEO of CASA OC. “The generosity of our golfers, sponsors and supporters allows CASA OC to continue recruiting and supporting the dedicated volunteers who stand alongside children in foster care and ensure their voices are heard.”
The event’s success was made possible through the generous support of sponsors and community partners. Roger Dunn Golf Shops by Worldwide Golf served as Title Sponsor, with EliteLyfe serving as Platinum Sponsor. Course Sponsors included Linda & Burton Young, Lourdes & Ted Nark, Genea / Lauren & Michael Wong, and Wendy & Larry Tenebaum.
Additional sponsors and partners included Dave & Pam Harvey as Closest to the Pin Sponsor; TACORI as Beat the Pro Jewelry Sponsor; Harvey & Company LLC as Trackman Experience Sponsor; Fletcher Jones Automotive Group as Hole-in-One Car Sponsor; STA Jets as Hole-in-One Cash Sponsor; Lucy Donahue as Golf & Glam Pre-Party Sponsor; Amazon as Printing Sponsor; eXp Realty as Gift Bag Sponsor; Newmark and Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream as Golf Cart Sponsors; Clemons Family Foundation as Breakfast Sponsor; Tito’s as Score Card Sponsor; PBS Engineers, Inc. / Jaimelynn & Kunal Shah as Bar Sponsor, and Hustle Monkey as Event Hospitality Partner.
Funds raised through the CASA Classic help CASA OC recruit, train and support volunteer advocates who provide children in the Orange County foster care system with a consistent, caring adult presence and a powerful voice in court and throughout their time in care.
About Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Orange County
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1985, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County (CASA OC) provides a powerful voice and a meaningful connection for children who have experienced abuse, neglect and abandonment. CASA volunteers are a crucial intervention to help ensure safety, speed up permanent placement, help children and youth thrive in school, and support positive health outcomes. A CASA volunteer is often the only consistent adult in a child or youth’s life who is not paid to support and advocate for them. The CEO of CASA OC since 2017 is Regan Dean Phillips, Esq., MSW. Chair of the Board of Directors is Michael Wong, President & CEO, Genea. CASA OC is a private, nonprofit organization supported by individuals, foundations, corporations, and government agencies. It is a member of the National CASA/GAL Association for Children. Please visit casaoc.org to learn more.
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