Chamber Holds Golf Tournament

By BOBBIE GREEN

The Progress

The hot and humid weather did not dampen the enthusiasm and support of area residents and chamber members at the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce 17th annual Golfing Reception and Invitational on August 5-6.

The tournament was sold out. Thirty teams played in the Saturday morning tournament held at the Conestoga Golf Club.
“We set a goal of having 30 teams or 120 players; and that is what we had,” said Chamber President/CEO Carol Kolson. “The tournament actually sould out very quickly. We also had a wait list of people wanting to play.”

On Friday afternoon a reception was held in the 1880 Grille room to get the fires of enthusiasm going. A putting contest and a horse race golf challenge was held.

There was also a lot of fun inside the clubhouse. Mike Rye provided music. There was wine and beer tasting, Danielle’s chocolate, and appetizers from the 1880 Grille.

The silent auction table was full of wonderful and unique items, specifically selected to interest the participants.

Attendees had a great time. “I think the Chamber does a good job,” said Polly Hendricks of Security Management Mortgage. “They put on events where people meet face to face, not virtual meetings.”

The tournament was set up this year as a tribute to the memory of former Mesquite resident and golf marketer Cody Law. A small memorial to Law was displayed in the clubhouse with a donation jar to help the family. Law passed away unexpectedly at age 42 leaving his spouse Heather and four children ages 12-18. He worked at, managed and then owned Golf Mesquite Nevada over the past 18 years.

“Law was responsible for bringing a lot of tourism to Mesquite that helps all the business here,” said Chamber Board member Mark Whetzel. “He also was a big help to the Chamber.”

The tournament itself was a great time on Saturday, with all kinds of fun activities.
There was a duck drive where golfers could pay to enter. A little toy rubber duck then replaced the golf ball on that particular hole. The players could hit the club with the club of their choice. The one who hits the ducky the furthest won a prize at the end of the tournament.

All monies collected in the duck drive went to the Salvation Army of Mesquite. Local Salvation Army Director, Bill Ennis sat at that hole selling ducks to the golfers.
“We raised over $600 for the Mesquite Salvation Army on the Duck Drive,” said Kolson.
Each team of golfers had an opportunity to buy one tee-off for each team member from professional golfer Gipper Finau for only $20.

Chamber members who participated in the tournament expressed appreciation to the Chamber for its positive role in the local business community.
“The Chamber is the best place for a business to be!” said Chamber member Dave Bennett. “President Kolson does a great job recruiting member and helping the local business.”

New chamber members Darko and Tracy Roskar, who are new owners of A.C.T.-Auto Care and Collision, said that they are very happy to be in Mesquite and very happy with the vibrant Chamber of Commerce and its functions.

Chamber member Jeff Powell praised the Chamber for the important things it did during the COVID shutdown to help local businesses.
“Under Carol’s leadership they started ‘Take Out Tuesdays’ for the whole community,” Powell said. “It was not just for chamber members but it helped out the local restaurants.”

Major sponsors for the event included Kokopelli Landscaping, Southwest Gas, Mesquite Gaming, Mesa View Regional Hospital, Primex Plastics, Lone Star Pool and Spa and Conestoga Golf Club.