Sandbaggers Golf Club

PRESIDENT: Don Claxton
VICE PRESIDENT: Jerry Hollis
SECRETARY: Johnny Walker
TREASURER: Ken Smith
GOLF CLASSIC CHAIRMAN: Tom Calvin

 

Meetings: First Tuesday Immediately Preceding The Stated Meeting

Location: El Zaribah Shrine Temple

Time: 6:30 PM

 

The Sandbaggers Golf Club was formed in 1999 to become the governing body of the annual Shriners Golf Classic. The purpose of this Club is to promote the game of golf for the enjoyment of all members of El Zaribah; instill new life into the Shrine through golf tournaments and outings; coordinate with the Potentate any golf tournaments/functions he may desire during his year, and project a quality image for Shriners.

Any member of El Zaribah desiring membership shall submit an Application for Membership to the President of The Golf Club, accompanied by an initiation fee of $75.00. After review and presentation to the club members, the club will take a vote and if accepted, his nominator will contact the applicant. There shall be 2 classes of membership in this Club.

  • Active: Member who plays golf.
  • Associate: Member who does not play golf but wants to be involved in planning or working golf events sponsored by the club.

The Shriners Golf Classic began in 1997 at the old Thunderbird Golf Course for the purpose of donating the net proceeds to the El Zaribah Shriners Children’s Hospital Transportation Fund. The golfers, all 39 of them, drove back to the El Zaribah Shrine Temple for lunch that was provided by Outback Steakhouse. The net profit from that tournament was $4,000. On that day, the founders of the Classic, Don Claxton and Tom Calvin stated “wouldn’t it be something if someday we could donate a check for $20,000 to the Transportation Fund?

The Shriners Golf Classic has grown to one of the top golf events in the Valley and to date, net proceeds donated to the Children’s Hospital Transportation Fund top $225,000.

In 2007 the Sandbaggers initiated the Caddy Daddy Program. The brainchild of Don Claxton, the Caddy Daddy program was an overwhelming success. A letter sent to all El Zaribah Shriners that had a pin depicting a golfer attached, asked them to become a Caddy Daddy by simply sending any donation they chose by return mail. Look for your Caddy Daddy letter in January with a brand new pin.