It was a sunny fall day in the mid-60s at Silver Creek Valley Country Club on November 25th. The 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Skins game started out with a clinic on the driving range. There was a player Q&A session with the gallery, Wayne Kumagai, Organizer, and Avery Cook, Head Pro. We were fortunate to feature five (5) terrific players.
1) Lexi Lowe, Leland High School, +3 handicap, BVAL Champion and team MVP
2) Kaleiya Romero- Pepperdine University, WCC First Team, 2022 and 2023 US Amateur participant
3) Francesca (Franky) Sumcad – Colorado University, former Valley Christian Player, and First Tee – Silicon Valley participant
4) Caleb Shetler – SJSU / Mountain West Freshman of the year, 2021 US Amateur participant at Oakmont, Santa Clara County Champion, Course Record Holder Cinnabar (60) and San Jose Country Club (59)
5) Katherine Zhu – CAL graduate / Rolex All American, 2-time AJGA Champ, former #1 player at CAL
The holiday should have been the 4th of July because the event started off with a bang and continued throughout the day.
#1 Caleb hit a 320-yard drive and then a lob wedge to 4 feet which he converted to win the first skin.
#2 Kaleiya Romero hit a big drive, then hit a wedge to 4 feet and converted the birdie to win the second skin.
#3 The third hole was halved with pars by Caleb and Katherine Zhu.
#4 All players hit the green and putted for birdies. The hole was halved with pars.
#5 Lexi made a 25-downhill putt for birdie to win the hole for three (3) skins.
#6 Franky Sumcad made a 35-foot uphill putt for birdie, and Lexi Lowe made a 5-foot birdie to tie.
# 7 Lexi Lowe made a 25- foot putt for a birdie and Caleb made an 8-foot birdie putt to tie.
#8 Kaleiya Romero hit to the edge of the green in two (2) shots and chipped up for an easy birdie. Katherine Zhu made a clutch 35-foot downhill putt to tie the hole.
#9 Franky Sumcad sunk a 20-foot birdie putt to win the hole and four (4) skins.
A special thanks is due to Eric Lee who donated an extra $50 for each birdie that was made which equated to initial an additional $500.
Overall, Silver Creek Valley Country Club member supporters were able to raise $4,795 for First Tee – Silicon Valley and Youth on Course. The players demonstrated great skill, and all the attendees were in awe of the vast distances they all could hit the ball.
Recap Provided by Organizer Wayne Kumagai
If you would like to organize a fundraiser to benefit FTSV, please contact Development Director Judy Dixon Deaton – [email protected].
