The Washington Wine Industry Foundation (WWIF) raised over $40,000 at its 13th Annual Wine Cup July 15 at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland, raising more funds this year than any other Wine Cup.
The morning shotgun tournament helped golfers beat the heat. On top of the 18-hole course, golfers had the opportunity to compete in competitions including longest drive, longest putt, closest to the pin, cork chipping, and putting.
This year’s low gross team and the Wine Cup winner was Laffite Cork. Lafitte Cork’s team was made up of Andy Tapper, Greg Matiko, Ryan Garton, and Matt Reynvaan. All four golfers won a 5 day cruise for two to the Caribbean, Mexico, or the Bahamas. Zirkle Fruit (Bill Wangler, Mark Zirkle, Jeff Baldwin, and Jeff Hattori) took second and Champoux Vineyards (Jeff Champoux, Jeremy Champoux, Joe Prior and Scott Prior) took third.
The team with the highest gross was Swaggart Brothers Inc. (John Mattson, John Swaggart, Denis Sweeden, and Paul Knutzen) who won a great prize of wine, golf trinkets, the Wine Wars book and other goodies.
John Paris and Mitch Venohr made up the Richards Packaging team and took first place for the lowest net score, an individual team, Chuck Vannoy, Mark Wheeler, Bill McVeigh, and Jim Kleist, took second and Precept Wine (Mike Williamson, Hank Stamschror, Scott Williamson, and Delton Bonds) took third.
Joe Prior was closest to the pin and Lisa McKinlay won closest to the pin for women. Longest drive for men came from Kyle Gorham and longest drive for women came from Jody Wheeler. Rob Mercer had the longest putt for men and Wendy Shaw had the longest putt for women.
Seven participants hit hole-in-ones during the putting contest, entering them into a drawing with Garry Andersen winning a $250 hotel certificate. Six golfers were able to chip a cork into a wine barrel ring to enter their name with Sean Tudor’s name pulled as winner of the cork chipping contest.
The Washington Wine Industry Foundation is a 501-c-3 nonprofit with a focus to strengthen the future of the Washington wine industry by advancing research, education, and leadership. All proceeds from the golf tournament support the mission.
The Wine Industry Foundation is funded through contributions and grants made by individuals, companies and organizations. Donations help administer scholarships, channel grants for education or research, support opportunities, and offer home to memorials. WWIF is organized to collectively support and fund industry needs, the foundation is uniquely structured under IRS rules as a 501 (c)(3) to allow individuals, organizations and companies the benefit of a tax deduction for contributions.