The spirit of giving was on full display at Mountain Falls Golf Club on Saturday, July 11, as Something Positive Inc. hosted its second annual Christmas in July Golf Tournament, bringing together local businesses, community members and volunteers for a day that was about far more than golf.
With 27 teams and 104 golfers taking to the course, the tournament drew an impressive turnout from across the community. By the end of the day, the event had raised $27,730 to help Something Positive Inc. provide Christmas gifts and support to local children and families during the holiday season.
Nearly 30 local businesses also stepped up to support the event, with 29 sponsors helping make the fundraiser possible.
While the tournament featured plenty of friendly competition on the fairways, organizers emphasized that the true victory was the impact the fundraiser will have on children throughout the community.
The day’s top honors went to the Avena team, made up of Royce Avena, Jeremy Hopkins, Jeff Murphy and Roger Prominski, who finished in first place.
Fifth place was claimed by one of two Rosen teams, consisting of Tommy Hollis, James Munger, Matthew Lopez and Jimmy Rosen.
Embracing the lighthearted tradition often found at charity golf tournaments, the last-place award went to the Nelson team, featuring Doug Nelson, Martin Taylor, Trae Warpness and Richard Warpness, who took the distinction with plenty of smiles.
For Something Positive Inc. President Stephanie Avena, the tournament represented something much deeper than scores on a leaderboard.
Reflecting after the event, Avena said the day served as a reminder of what makes the Pahrump community special.
“I may not always be understood. I may be outspoken. I may say the things others won’t,” she wrote in a heartfelt message following the tournament. “But if there’s one thing I hope no one ever questions, it’s my heart. My heart has always belonged to this community.”
She described looking around the clubhouse after an exhausting day and seeing people from every corner of the community gathered for one purpose.
“A room full of people. People from different backgrounds. Different businesses. Different beliefs. Some are friends. Some are competitors. Some are complete strangers,” she wrote. “Yet today… none of that mattered.”
According to Avena, the event became a powerful example of what can happen when a community focuses on a common goal.
“For a few beautiful hours, titles disappeared. Politics disappeared. Competition disappeared. Egos disappeared. The only thing that mattered was helping children. That… is what community looks like.”
She extended her gratitude to everyone who contributed, from sponsors and golfers to volunteers, businesses and community members who purchased raffle tickets and mulligans throughout the day.
“You didn’t just make a golf tournament successful,” she wrote. “You gave hope. You reminded me that kindness still wins. You reminded me that there are still people willing to show up for children they’ve never met.”
Although the tournament centered around golf, Avena said the sport has always been secondary to the organization’s mission.
“This was never about golf,” she wrote. “Golf was simply the vehicle. The destination has always been Christmas morning.”
For Something Positive Inc., the funds raised will ultimately help create joyful holiday memories for local families who may otherwise struggle during the Christmas season.
“It’s the smile on a child’s face. The tears in a parent’s eyes because someone cared. The moment a family realizes they’re not alone,” Avena wrote. “That’s why we do this.”
She concluded by thanking the community for once again demonstrating what can be accomplished when people come together for a common cause.
“Today wasn’t about Something Positive,” she wrote. “Today was about all of us proving that when this community comes together, there isn’t a mountain we can’t move. We didn’t just raise money today. We raised hope. And hope changes everything.”
With nearly $28,000 raised, dozens of businesses lending their support and more than 100 golfers participating, the second annual Christmas in July Golf Tournament once again showcased the generosity of the Pahrump community and provided a strong foundation for Something Positive Inc.’s efforts to make the upcoming holiday season brighter for local children and families.
