photos & story by

Dena Critch

Charlie Haje & Samuel Lombardo

Marc Crimmins & Patrick Warburton

 Chris Martin, Steve Lewis, Chris Judah, Mike Linder & Mackey Sasser

  VIP Destin at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort 

20th Anniversary 

South Walton 

Celebrity Golf 

Classic

O

ne of the area’s most exciting golf tournaments, 

the 20th Anniversary South Walton Celebrity 

Golf Classic, was held October 27-29 at the 

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort. 

This tournament benefited Operation Renewed Hope 

Foundation (ORHF), a 501(c)(3) charity providing housing 

and supportive services to homeless Veterans. ORHF has 

extraordinarily low overhead and more than 80 percent of 

donations go directly to helping Veterans. 

The tournament sponsors included several returning 

sponsors and supporters from the area: South Walton 

TDC, ResortQuest by Wyndham Vacation Rentals, 

Hilton Sandestin Golf Resort & Spa, Hertz, Southern 

Glacier Wine & Spirits, Yuengling, Mitsubishi Electric, 

Rum Runners, TSP, Copy Systems Business Center, Inc., 

Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Acme Oyster House, 

Outta Here, Regus, Buffalo Rock, The Donut Hole and 

Showtime Events.

Participants enjoyed multiple events over the weekend 

including a welcome reception Thursday night hosted by 

the Hilton Sandestin. Friday began bright and early with 

an on-course breakfast sponsored by The Donut Hole. The 

celebrity paired teams started play with a shotgun start at 

10 am.  

Friday night the Celebrity Gala & Auction was held in 

the Emerald Ballroom at the Hilton Sandestin. There were 

two treasured live auction items provided by World War II 

veteran, Samuel Lombardo. His dear friend Arnold Palmer 

signed several hats for him which he donated for the live 

auction. Charlie Haje found several copies of Samuel 

Lombardo’s novel 

O’er the Land of the Free which were 

auctioned off as well. Mr. Lombardo was even gracious 

enough to autograph them for the winners.

For more information about Operation Renewed 

Hope Foundation and how you can help visit                            

www.operationrenewedhopefoundation.org. 

For information on upcoming Celebrity Golf Classics, 

contact Charlie Haje at charliehaje@earthlink.net

.

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 Terry Baker, Jackie Burkett, Andy Forrester & Jud Barlow

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