It Wouldn't Be A Convention Without The Golf Tournament!

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) 8th Annual Chairman's Charity Classic Golf Tournament yesterday raised $55,000 for Angel Flight West. Located in Santa Monica, CA, this not-for-profit organization serves the western U.S. by providing free, non-emergency air transportation in response to medical and other compelling human needs. A total of 325 golfers played three courses at Paiute Golf Resort in Las Vegas, NV.

NBAA Chairman Donald E. Baldwin presented a ceremonial check for $55,000 to Jim Weaver, executive director of Angel Flight West on behalf of the organization during the awards luncheon following the tournament. Bob Ettinger, president of New World Aviation, also presented Weaver with an additional $2,500, which New World raised during the event with its "Beat the Pro" contests.

"With the help of a number of very generous sponsors and more than 300 enthusiastic golfers, the NBAA 8th Annual Chairman's Charity Classic was able to help Angel Flight West continue its wonderful work of transporting people with non-emergency requirements to medical facilities over the entire western part of the United States," said Joe Ponte, NBAA vice president, membership, marketing & regional programs, who also serves as the tournament's director. "We had our most successful event ever and are very proud to have been able to help an outstanding organization."

NBAA recognized two sets of tournament winners. The first-place low-net team with a score of 57.1 was Johnnie Bryant, JetCraft Corp.; Terry Flynn, JSSI; Marla Gelfono, JSSI; and Gary Strapp, JSSI. The first-place low-gross team with a score of 57 was Jim Benepe, Phoenix Fuel; Bob Tyler, TAG Aviation; Kim Ratcliff, TAG Aviation; and Brad Kost, Galaxy Aviation. Johnnie Bryant, chief pilot for JetCraft Corp., had a hole-in-one on the 8th hole of the Sun Mountain course. He used an eight iron to score the ace on the 148-yard par-three hole.

FMI: www.nbaa.org/conventions/2004