The green grass and comfortable temperatures of spring make this an ideal time to get out on the golf course. One good opportunity is to play the 17th Annual ValleyCare Foundation Golf Tournament, on Monday, June 25, at the Ruby Hill Golf Club.

Players will enjoy the beautiful Ruby Hill course and magnificent clubhouse with sweeping views of the valley. The day will include great golf for men and women, excellent food and beverages, prizes, auctions and an opportunity to support the Tri-Valley's only non-profit hospital, ValleyCare Medical Center.

The tournament benefits a good cause. Proceeds are designated for ValleyCare cardiac digital ultrasound equipment used for early detection and diagnosis of patients at risk for a heart attack.

The dinner, awards, and live auction emcee will be Mark Ibanez, KTVU's Fox Channel 2 Emmy-Award winning sports director. Hacienda is represented on the golf committee by Tim Hunt, associate publisher, ANG Newspapers; and Neil Cohn of Arthur J. Gallagher Insurance.

The $500 entry fee per person covers green fees, cart, contests, beverages, tee prizes, lunch, awards dinner and a tax-deductible contribution to the hospital. Extra dinner guests are welcome to attend for an additional $60 per person.

This popular tournament also teams up golf amateurs and sports celebrities. This year's tournament celebrities include Dwight Hicks, San Francisco 49ers; Kermit Alexander, former 49er; Bradley Ogden, celebrity chef, One Market Restaurant, San Francisco and Lark Creek Cafe, Walnut Creek; John Lambert, former NBA player; and George Atkinson, Oakland Raiders.

The live and silent auctions also feature a number of unique lots. Auction items include a five-day trip to New Orleans Harrah's and Wyndham Canal Place and a $500 shopping trip at Sak's in New Orleans, and two tickets to attend a New Orleans Saints home game at the Super Dome.

Sponsorships are available from tee or green sponsors for $500 to major sponsorships at $25,000 and many in-between. There are still spaces for foursomes. In addition, volunteers are welcome to help with the event. For more information, call Helen Mendel, event coordinator, at the Golf Hotline - (925) 416-3660.

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