Brandishing trophies are tournament winners Ben Godinez (left) and Sam Orphilla, Scott Cermak and Rich Cotter hold certificates for $1,000 shopping sprees at Aquamarine Jewelers in Carmichael for scoring drives closest to the pin. Store owner and event sponsor (second from right) is Aiman Nasrawi.

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) - A brisk nine holes in iffy weather did not chill enthusiasm at the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce’s charity golf tournament last week. 

The fundraiser boosted the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento by more than $3,600.

After a kick-off putting contest, 54 golfers conquered fairways, bunkers and greens in the tournament’s ‘Happy Hour Scramble.’

Celebrity participants included the River Cats Baseball team mascot Dinger and Supervisor Rich Desmond, who has visited the riverside park since his childhood on nearby Palm Drive.

“It doesn’t get much better than golfing here, while rubbing elbows with small business owners,” said Desmond. “This park is still one of my favorite places.”

Trophies were awarded during a drink and hors d’oeuvres reception. Tournament winners were Ben Godinez and Sam Orphilla. Runners-up were Colin Wallace Greg Shove and Courtney Lee.

For scoring drives closest to the pin, Scott Cermak and Rich Cotter each won a $1,000 shopping spree, sponsored by Aquamarine Jewelers in Carmichael.

The putting contest prize ($255 in cash) went to businessman Mike Hawk and teammates Josh Williams and Tom Huber.

Event sponsors were the Carmichael Chamber of Commerce, Milagro Centre, Ancil Hoffman Golf Course, SMUD, Aquamarine Jewelers, Top Golf, SiminoCare, Kiwanis Club of Carmichael, Northwestern Mutual, Sacramento River Cats, Bowen Law Firm, A&A Events and the Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento.