There were police everywhere on Monday at the Santa Maria Country Club.

Pick a hole, any hole - on the tees, along the fairways, on the greens - and you'd find any number of Santa Maria's finest.

“There wasn't any crime involved,” said Santa Maria City Councilman Bob Orach. That is, unless you count my golf swing - that's pretty criminal.”

Councilman Orach and a number of Santa Maria City police officers were among the 100 people on hand, taking part in the inaugural Santa Maria Police Council Golf Tournament.

“The Police Council is a non-profit organization that raises money to purchase equipment for the Santa Maria Police Department,” said Terri Lee Coleman, the Executive Director of the Council. “Before today's tournament, we raised enough money to provide the department with a new police dog. The money we raise today should help us purchase a new license plate recognition system to help in identifying stolen cars, new night vision goggles and some new forensic equipment.”

In addition to the day of golf, the tournament included a live auction after the Mexican buffet awards dinner, a 50/50 drawing and a raffle.

“Through the generous support of our major sponsors - the Chumash Casino and the Santa Ynez Ban of Chumash Indians, Smith Electrical and the Santa Maria Country Club - we were able to raise more than $42,000. They really put us over the top,” said Coleman, “It will take a couple of days to add in the money we raised from the tournament and auction plus the money we raised from our on-course fundraisers.”

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On the course, players had a chance to win money on the Homicide Hole and win an easier shot on the Beanbag Hole.

A chalk outline of a body was created on the 13th hole - the Homicide Hole. Each team ponied up $20 and had a chance to double its money if they hit a shot inside the chalk. If they missed, the money went into the Police Council coffers.

On the eighth hole - the Beanbag Hole - players bought two beanbags for $40. That purchase alone gave the team the chance to tee off 300 yards down the fairway. They were awarded an extra 35 yards for each good shot of their bean bags.

A hole-in-one of the third, seventh or 16th holes would have won a new Harley Davidson motorcycle, Chevy Tahoe or Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.

The four-person scramble awarded winner's trophies in both low gross (no handicap) and low net (with the foursome's handicap figured in).

The low gross title - with an 18-under par 54 - went to the foursome of Ken White, Chuck Frazier, Brad Johnson and Clancy McAuliff.

The low net championship was claimed by Santa Maria Police Chief Danny Macagni, Police Commander Craig Ritz, Police Commander Kendall Greene and Tournament Chairman Jerry Schmidt with a gross of 48.8.

Second place went to Joe Come, Dustin Nebitt, Tim Righetti and Chad Colli with a score of 50.3 with third place going to Jack Gresser, Gil Palacios, Dale Johnson and Greg France at 50.5.

The Longest drive winners were Eddie Murray with a 300 yard blast and Donna White with a 225 yard shot.

Mark Van Eck won the putting contest.

“We don't get the chance to get out on the golf courser very often during the year,” said Chief Macagni. “It was great to get out here today.”

“There were a lot of good golfers on the course today,” said Commander Ritz, “Most of the good golfers, however, were not members of the police department. The worst golfers out here were the police officers.”

“The most satisfying thing about the day is that we beat Sergeant James Ginter's team,” said Commander Greene. “We had a little side bet going and now they have to buy us all steak sandwiches.”

“We all had a great time,” said Chief Macagni. “Terri Lee Coleman and her team did a great job. My hat is off to (Santa Maria Country Club head golf pro) Ken White and his crew. A lot of good will come to the community out of what's been done here today and it will be even better when we do it again next year.”

Sports Editor Elliott Stern can be reached at 739-2235 or by e-mail to estern@santamariatimes.com

June 11, 2008