For the first time in many years, the Harker Alumni Association presented the traditional Harker Golf Classic as opposed to the Advancement Office on April 13, 2015, at the Stanford Golf Course.

The Harker Golf Classic is an event that was started by alumni Kevin Hartstock and his family around the same time as the inception of the Harker Upper School. The event has happened almost every year since then.

Despite having the unique and rare opportunity to play on the Stanford Golf Course, the objectives of the event are two-fold, according to Executive Director of Advancement Joe Rosenthal. One being to bring the Harker community together and the second to raise money for the Harker Endowment.

This year, the Alumni Association took responsibility for organizing the event instead of the Advancement Office.

“Both the school and the alumni council saw the event as an opportunity to fuse the current student community to the alumni community,” Jeff Rogers (‘84), a member of the organizing committee, said. “Both the school and alumni see value in fostering these relationships, not just in terms of fundraising, but also in creating things like more formal mentorships and internships.”

The event attracted many alumni to meet one another and reunite.

“For me, it was the first event of any kind that I have participated in really because of Mr. Walsh and Mr. Rosenthal who were all either teachers or coaches of mine,” Tom Kondo (‘87), who flew out from Los Angeles to enjoy the event, said. “I figured it would just be a rare opportunity to meet them again.”

The Alumni Association also brought in more sponsorships from companies, prizes and giveaways.

“It gave alumni a lot more opportunity to be involved in a meaningful way by providing this great opportunity to their fellow classmates and parents but also to really help make a difference in helping the Harker endowment,” Rosenthal said. “I think having alumni being involved in meaningful ways is always a good thing to happen.”

In the past, the event has primarily attracted Harker parents but this year there were more alumni and corporate sponsors that brought some of their clients because of the unique opportunity to play at the Stanford Golf Course.

“There are many many non-profit organizations that want to hold their golf outings there and they are on the waitlist,” said Rosenthal. “Harker is in a unique position to have the opportunity to have the Golf Classic there which provides members of the Harker Community who are golf enthusiasts to have the opportunity to participate there.”

The event also served as an opportunity for people to contribute to the Harker endowment. As of April 16, the event has raised approximately $12,000 and are still waiting on outstanding invoices.

The event with honorary marshals Pat Walsh and Howard Saltzman had 19 groups of golfers. There was a lunch beforehand and barbeque that accompanied with an awards banquet to give out prizes.

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The Harker Golf Classic took place on April 13 at the Stanford Golf Course. This year it was presented by the Harker Alumni Association instead of the Advancement Office.