Glitter and glam and a ’60s vibe marked the 2023 Rancho Bernardo Inn Women’s Golf Club Invitational on May 9, as a full field of participants helped celebrate the Club’s 60th anniversary. Theme of the tournament was, “Cheers to 60 years!”
Sixteen teams won prizes for low scores for the tournament format (Two Best Balls of the Foursome), and individual golfers were rewarded for closest to the pin on the four par-threes, for the longest drive on hole No. 12, and for the straightest drive on hole No. 8. For complete results, see here.
“We were proud to host this legacy tournament at the beautiful RBI golf course,” said Kathy Christopher, RBIWGC president. “And we were pleased that our members brought so many guests so they could experience the course we call home.”
Participants were fortunate to have mild weather throughout the day. After the round, they gathered in the Bernardo Room for libations and a plated gourmet luncheon. At tables dressed in black and gold with centerpieces of baby’s breath and glittering “diamonds,” golfers were served a salad of garden greens with dried cherries, crumbled goat cheese, and red-wine vinaigrette; roasted chicken breast with Pommery mustard jus; garlic mashed potatoes; asparagus and baby carrots; and a frozen chocolate Grand Marnier truffle, with raspberry sauce.
A large group of RBIWGC volunteers planned and produced the 2023 tournament. Chris Shorkey and Sharon Council served as Invitational co-chairs. Committee chairs included Joyce Dubuque, registration; Sherry Seamon, prizes; Resa Coopat, tee-sign sponsors; Bev Johnsen, tournament format and handicaps; Liz Burchill, breakfast; Angela Schmidt, decorations and set-up; Teresa Swanson, graphics; and Diane Borden, communications. More than 30 other Club members volunteered to serve on the various committees.
Among the Rancho Bernardo Inn staff who contributed to the success of the tournament were Evan Biundo, director of golf; Matt Loflen, tournament sales director; Paul Kipfstuhl, tournament coordinator; Jamie Lemon, area general manager; Ulric von Son, director of banquets; John Sullivan, assistant director of banquets; Chef Jose Sandoval, banquet chef; and Calvin Nollner, banquet captain.
The Rancho Bernardo Inn Women’s Golf Club was founded in 1963. The first Invitational was held in spring 1964 and has since grown into one of the premier women’s golfing events in San Diego County.