Doing Good with Golf, By Jondi Gumz

editor

contributing writers

Jondi Gumz, Carrie Mulcaire, Risa D’Angeles, Lisa McGrath, Janice Weaver, Zach Friend

layout

Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson

graphic artists

Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson

photography

Michael Oppenheimer, Jim Johnson, Brad King

website

Michael Oppenheimer, Camisa Composti

production coordinator

Camisa Composti

media consultants

Teri Huckobey, Brooke Valentine, Tara Carcamo

office coordinator

Bill Pooley, James Hudson

distribution

Times Publishing Group, Inc. 9601 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003 The Times Publishing Group, Inc., publishers of the Aptos Times, a bi-monthly publication, the Capitola Soquel Times and Scotts Valley Times, each printed monthly, Coastal Weddings Magazine, Coastal Home and Garden Magazine, Aptos’ Fourth of July Parade Official Program Guide and Capitola’s Summer Festivals Official Program Guide, is owned by Patrice Edwards. Entire contents ©2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without the publisher’s written permission PHONE: (831) 688-7549 FAX: (831) 688-7551

GENERAL E-MAIL: info@cyber-times.com

Patrice Edwards: patrice@cyber-times.com Publisher’s Assistant: assistant@cyber-times.com Editor: info@cyber-times.com

Calendar Listings: www.tpgonlinedaily.com Graphics Department: graphics@cyber-times.com

Billing Inquiries: cathe@cyber-times.com

Classified Sales: sales@cyber-times.com

Production: production@cyber-times.com

CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE AT: www.tpgonlinedaily.com mission statement We at the Times Publishing Group, Inc. are dedicated to providing a voice for the individuals and organizations in our community while highlighting the outstanding accomplishments of our local businesses. We seek to promote healthy family values through our coverage of youth activities, school news, senior events, community groups and entertainment

Doing Good with Golf

By Jondi Gumz

In 1979, Paul Bailey, who graduated from Aptos High in 1970, looked at the sports facilities of his alma mater, which were not complete, and made a suggestion for a golf tournament fundraiser.

“Why don’t we do one for the high school?” he proposed.

That’s how the Aptos Sports Foundation started.

“I saw a need to be the connection between alumni, the business community, the high school and the Aptos community,” said Bailey, co-owner with his brother Robert of Bailey Properties in Aptos.

The nonprofit Paul Bailey started at age 27 is going strong 42 years later.

He’s still the chairman, passionate about doing something “for our kids.”

Bailey Properties provides administrative staffing, which keeps expenses low.

Sold Out

This year, the tournament returned to Seascape Golf Club after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the date changed to October.

It sold out — a full field of 148 golfers.

A lot of people came because this year’s tournament was dedicated to the late Mark Holcomb, who developed Seascape Beach Resort and numerous residential projects in Aptos.

He had played in every one of the Aptos Sports Foundation’s golf tournaments.

“He had always supported us,” Bailey said, recalling how the foundation “graduated” him from Aptos High and gave him a letterman’s jacket.

Holcomb died Nov. 16, 2020.

With worries about the coronavirus spreading, a traditional memorial was out of the question.

So people showed their respect in a safe venue outdoors and at the dinner indoors, paid tribute with a minute of silence.

The event started at 12:30 p.m., and everyone finished before dark.

Aptos High School athletes helped out running contests such as “closest to the pin.” In the “gorilla drive” contest, student athletes hit the drives for the players. For non-golfers, there was a corn hole competition.

“It was almost like a reunion out there,” Bailey said.

Student athletes served food to 170 guests at the dinner, which included an auction and raffle.

Watsonville Coast Produce, founded in 1937 and run by Gary Manfre, provided fresh veggies. Another supporter is Deluxe Foods of Aptos, owned by Marc Monte.

The auction raised over $10,000, and the tournament netted $45,000 for athletic facilities at Aptos High School.

Aptos Loves Aptos

Marion Proffitt, a real estate agent with Bailey Properties who came here from Chino Valley to be closer to her grandchildren, explains it: “As Paul says, Aptos loves Aptos.”

Aptos has about 6,600 residents. It’s an unincorporated area with neighborhoods, shopping centers and beaches in Santa Cruz County — not a city, so while a county supervisor represents Aptos and adjoining areas, there is no mayor.

“Aptos Sports Foundation” page 8