First Annual Golf Tournament

Wrap-up

Even as dark clouds rolled by and chilled the morning, and thunder ominously threatened the lightening that would cancel a day eight months in the making, the golfers came. And they came. By the time the scramble kicked off at 12:30, following a BBQ-style lunch buffet, we realized that Savannah’s Organic Ranch’s First Annual Golf Tournament was full, something our golf committee had been gently advised many times by veteran golf tournament planners not to expect. While the weather was dicey, and sprinkled the golfers on a hole or two, even the big rain held out until every last golfer had returned to the clubhouse. As a local artist painted the scene live, a rainbow appeared through the clouds, as if to show Savannah was smiling down on the events taking place.

Thanks to a team of over thirty volunteers, headed by Lisa Rieden, and many of whom never even met Savannah and freely gave of their time from morning till night, the day ran perfectly. Golfers were greeted at the registration table with friendly faces and donated cooler bags, filled to the brim with even more donated goodies. There was a barbeque lunch and a scramble start. Throughout the tournament, several holes offered opportunities to win items such as a brand new BMW, a flat-screen TV, and a new set of golf clubs. Volunteers even drove around on golf carts to bring organic cookies out to all the golfers halfway through the game.

When the golfers finished their game, they returned to a transformed clubhouse. Over fifty donated gift baskets and extravagant items such as a two-night stay at The Montage Resort in Laguna Beach were spread across eight tables and made for a competitive raffle, silent bid and live auction event. There was even an 11 ½ carat diamond necklace, valued at $38,500 that had been donated for auction. During a delicious buffet dinner, golfers and guests who paid just to come to the dinner and auction, were treated to a twenty minute film, produced by USC film student Kammel Allaway that described the mission of Savannah’s Organic Ranch, and how it all began with one beautiful eight-year-old girl, Savannah Lee Sachen. The film included a montage of Savannah, and interviews with her teachers, doctors, and others who were touched by her life, and the vision she had that continues even after her death, one year ago, from a very rare cancer of the heart.

Savannah’s Organic Ranch began with the dream of eight-year old Savannah Sachen, who passed away May 18th, 2007 after a three year battle with pediatric cancer. It is a non-profit foundation that has been created to continue the legacy of Savannah’s passion for people, animals and nature by educating children and adults alike on the benefits of organic foods and farming to our bodies, our fellow living creatures, and our planet. We aim to spread the seeds of a healthier future by involving children in the organic process, from planting to harvesting, and then creating and enjoying healthy meals, and by doing so, empowering them to make choices that will better all. Finally, in addition to education and nutrition, our ranch will encourage philanthropy by involving children in the donation of organic foods to local food banks and other charities, as well as allocating a portion of funds raised toward easing the lives of children battling pediatric cancer. For more information, please visit www.savannahsorganicranch.org.

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