By Jamie Leno Zimron
Another truly great time was had by all of the women who came to play in the Horizons 8th Annual Golf Fore Good charity fundraiser on Friday, June 16, at Chardonnay Golf Club. I mean, what’s not to love about cruising down vineyard-lined fairways on a bright sunny day in Napa, playing and partying with over 150 sister-golfers—all for the good cause of Horizons’ stellar work and financial support of LGBT organizations across the Bay Area?!
Hats and visors off to Deb Stallings and our Tournament Committee, who in a few short years have grown Golf Fore Good into a sellout girls golfing gala! Many thanks to all of the individuals and businesses who contribute as sponsors to make the event such a success. The tournament has already raised over $100,000 dollars that make a big difference in the lives of so many brothers and sisters who directly benefit from Horizons-supported LGBTQ community programs and services.
As the resident gay golf pro, I get to bop around hitting shots and making pars and birdies with all of the wonderful women who have a ball dressing up, decorating their golf carts, and swinging away. The festive dinner banquet highlights the important work of Horizons through inspiring speakers and videos, and awards trophies and prizes to all the day’s winners. And then it’s like being at The Dinah in Palm Springs, with DJ dancing and reveling into the night.
I always get a lot of high fives and questions out there about my look-alike brother, Mark Leno, wondering whether he plays golf. As kids, we spent our Midwest summers on the golf course, and we both raised quite a few trophies. He’s applied his remarkable talents elsewhere as an adult, though loves following the game, and especially Jordan Spieth’s phenomenal young career.
Mark and I both always have a special place in our hearts for Horizons as his beloved partner, Douglas Jackson, was an early donor and Board Member. Before he passed away in 1990, from AIDS, Douglas was instrumental in the development and re-branding process that fully established the Horizons Foundation and its work in our community. He left an endowment, and would be so happy to see the broad, diverse reach of LGBTQ programs and organizations that the Foundation has helped to fund (in public health services, youth outreach, the arts, elder care, transgender people of color, and so much more).
Let’s keep it all going—and get ready to come on out for the 9th Annual next June!
Jamie Leno Zimron is an LPGA Pro, Aikido 5th Degree Black Belt, and Corporate Speaker-Trainer. Please check out her website: http://www.thekiaiway.com
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