Haggin’s Golf & Guitars fundraiser returns to town for a third round

by Team FG

When Haggin Oaks turned 75 a couple years ago, Ken Morton Sr. wanted to do something different to help mark the occasion — something that he, his family and staff could enjoy, build on and, most importantly, use to help the Sacramento community that had been so supportive of them over the years. It wasn’t just about blowing out birthday candles or selling more gear out of Haggin Oaks’ famous and fabulous Super Store. It was about pulling together Morton’s own passions for golf, music and charitable action, and melding them into one cool event under a 10-gallon hat.

And so, Golf & Guitars, which returns to Haggin Oaks for its third edition May 18, was born. In 2008, the Mortons, with the help of local radio stations and other media outlets, rounded up a dozen up-and-coming country music acts to headline a concert under the stars on Haggin’s range, which capped off a full day of golf and fun for them, other celebrities and players from the public.

They built on that success last year, but the 2010 event is shaping up as the best yet, with more than a dozen top country acts signed as of late February, including host and headliner Jack Ingram, whose latest album, Big Dreams & High Hopes, is getting solid reviews on iTunes. Together with the preceding Pro-Am golf tournament — where every player is teamed with a performer or celebrity — on Haggin’s famed MacKenzie Course, the event will again raise thousands for local charities including WEAVE and the Morton Golf Foundation. FG

For entry forms and more info, visit www.golfandguitars.com.

Published in FG Magazine, March 2010

AMERICA'S MOST HONORED MAGAZINE AT ING AWARDS
It’s getting to be a habit, and we can’t seem to help ourselves. For the fourth straight year, FG racked up an impressive load of hardware at the International Network of Golf Media Awards announced at January’s PGA Merchandise Show. We scored six awards in all, besting writers and photographers from such national publications as GolfWeek and Sports Illustrated. First-place honors went to Vic Williams in Competition Writing for his piece on Tiger’s historic U.S. Open victory (July-August 2008), Joann Dost for her epic shot of Tiger’s 72nd hole putt on Open Sunday; and Calder Chism for his “Weekend Wisdom” drawing of Vic in the May-June 2008 issue. Outstanding Achievement awards went to Williams and Darin Bunch for Travel Writing. Other FG contributors who took home awards included Tony Dear and Bob Seligman. Next year, look for the clean sweep.