By Cris Paulsen
Advertising Sales Representative
Intermountain Catholic
WEST VALLEY CITY —The Third Annual Catholic Business Network Charity Golf Classic was held at The Ridge Golf Course in West Valley City on Oct. 1. The sold-out event, which benefits Utah Catholic Schools, was attended by 144 golfers, while 160 people attended the awards dinner after the tournament.
The CBN Charity Classic had more than 50 sponsors and individuals who donated items for the silent auction and raffle, and offered hole and cart sponsorships. Golfers and sponsors donated more than $16,000 – 40 percent more to Utah Catholic Schools this year than last, said the tournament director, Tom Richter of Jan-Pro and Maid Rite Home Cleaning Services.
The event went so smoothly that Bryant Boshard who, as assistant golf pro at the course, runs all tournaments stated “that this was one of the best, well-run tournaments of the year at the Ridge.”
The Classic, which was delayed a week because of a cold, damp Sunday on Sept. 24, was well received by the golfers, who had comments like, “It was a great time. ... Wouldn’t change a thing. I will definitely play again next year.”
A hole sponsor said they would be back next year and they would try to get two foursomes to play in the event as well.
The CBN Classic is a tournament within a tournament, as each Catholic high school fields a mixed couple from their golf teams. This year, the team from Juan Diego Catholic High School received the CBN Catholic High School Golf Classic Travelling Team Trophy, which they will display in the school’s trophy case until next year’s event.
A formal presentation of the proceeds from the event to Utah Catholic Schools Superintendant Mark Longe is planned, Richter said.
“I am grateful that the Catholic Business Network board has once again selected Catholic schools to receive the proceeds from their annual golf tournament,” Longe said. “The generosity from the Catholic Business Network and its members has helped our schools provide scholarships for families in need of financial assistance. Their help in providing the gift of a Catholic education not only helps a child today, but also strengthens our Church and community in the future.”
CBN Co-Chair Tricia Bruggeman of Gateway Mortgage Group sums up why she and the CBN are so passionate about giving back to Utah Catholic Schools:
“I was born and raised here in Utah. My home parish was St. Therese [of the Child Jesus] in Midvale. I felt I was a minority with my Catholic faith. I went to public school where most of my peers were LDS. I was often told I couldn’t play with my friends because I was Catholic. I felt completely shunned and out of place.
“It was not until I got older and realized how many other Catholics actually lived and worked in Utah. When the CBN was created at St. John the Baptist [Parish,] it was easy for me to support the network. I also love how much the CBN has grown. We decided as a board to really live the values that had been created before us.”
When Richter approached the CBN board members about a golf tournament fundraiser, they all wanted the proceeds to support the Utah Catholic Schools, Bruggeman said, because “each one of us understood the value of raising our children in the Catholic school community.
“My parents never thought a Catholic education was even possible,” she continued. “My father was a diesel mechanic at Kennecott Copper for 33 years. My mother was a stay-at-home mother raising six children. I was very much loved and raised in a beautiful close Catholic Hispanic family.”
Sending her own children to a Catholic school was a thought that never crossed her mind until she heard Dr. Galey Colosimo, principal of Juan Diego High School, speak about the Skaggs Catholic Center, Bruggeman said.
“It was that Sunday morning that my sister and I decided we wanted to send our children to a private Catholic school. We did not want what happened to us to happen to our own children. We were the first two applicants that applied to send our children there. I remember the mobile home that sat out front, and meeting Sister Karla. I am forever thankful for raising my children in the Skaggs Catholic Center community.”
Referring to the saying that “it takes a village to raise a child,’ Bruggeman said, “Boy, did I pick a great one! I now have a passion to make that possible for so many more Catholic families that want the same for their children. That is why I find it extremely important to support those companies and businesses that support our Catholic communities.”
The CBN is a group of business leaders, executives, and professionals in Utah who meet regularly to discuss common business experiences, issues, problems and solutions under a shared faith. The group is accepting applications of like-minded Catholic business people to join.
The CBN works to find meaningful ways the business community can support the overall goals of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.
The CBN is committed to the following goals:
— To facilitate the development of contacts and relationships, both inside and outside the Catholic Community, that will result in increased business and employment opportunities for its members.
— To promote ethical business practices and Catholic values in the workplace, and to provide members with opportunities to develop business and leadership skills.
— To provide members with opportunities to “give back to their community” by preparing talented young men and women within the Catholic Community for business careers.
CBN provides members various opportunities to network, enjoy new friendships and develop better leadership skills, all under the umbrella of shared faith and shared values.
“We are looking at expanding our membership of the Network and invite all Catholic businesses to join,” Richter said.
To join CBN, visit www.utahcbn.org. For information, call Tricia Bruggeman, 801-891-2664 or Dr. Roland Abundo, 801-755-5700.
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