RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Gold Rush Classic returned to Rancho Murieta Country Club on Aug. 6 and 7, bringing together celebrities, golfers, volunteers and sponsors for two days of competition, entertainment and fundraising benefiting children’s charities and local community programs.

Now in its seventh year, the event featured a celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament, a celebrity skins challenge, a $1 million hole-in-one contest, a celebrity draft party, an awards celebration and the “Stars & Guitars” concert. The tournament’s mission is to support youth programs, charitable organizations and children’s initiatives while showcasing Rancho Murieta as a premier golf destination.

Organizer John Jacobs said the tournament has continued to grow since its revival and has become something the community can take pride in. 

“This is our seventh year, and every year we learn something new,” Jacobs said. “We keep trying to make it better.”

He said one of the things that make the tournament special is the hometown spirit. 

“It’s really become a hometown event,” Jacobs said. “The community gets behind it. The volunteers, ambassadors and sponsors all make our celebrities and golfers feel welcome. That’s the spirit we’re trying to create.”

Jacobs described this year’s tournament as one of the best yet. 

“It was one of our best events,” he said. “We had a few hiccups, but overall everything went really well.”

The tournament championship was won by the Adkins Family Vineyards team of Jake Adkins, Jeffrey Adkins, Isaac Sanchez, Justin Swift, John Philips and celebrity Mervyn Fernandez.

A highlight before tournament play was Thursday’s celebrity skins competition, won by former San Francisco 49ers standout Dwight Hicks.

Celebrity Mervyn Fernandez also recorded the closest shot in the $1 million hole-in-one contest, landing 10 feet, 9 inches from the pin on a shot of more than 170 yards: the first time a celebrity has earned closest-to-the-pin honors, Jacobs said.

The event concluded Friday evening with a sold-out “Stars & Guitars” concert featuring The Cripple Creek Band.

“The concert was exceptional,” Jacobs said, adding that synchronized LED wristbands provided by Realtor Karen Hoberg created a colorful light show throughout the audience.

Jacobs said hospitality has become one of the tournament’s trademarks. Every hole was staffed by an ambassador to greet golfers, explain contests, keep play moving and make sure participants had whatever they needed. Many holes also featured their own refreshments or specialty treats, ranging from root beer floats and Hawaiian sandwiches to tacos, hot dogs, skewers, Uncrustables and other snacks, creating a different experience as golfers made their way around the course.

About 16 volunteers and more than 20 ambassadors helped run the event while keeping golfers hydrated in temperatures hovering around 100 degrees.

The tournament featured about 21 sports and entertainment celebrities. Jacobs said some of the crowd favorites included former baseball player Bryan Hunter, Harlem Globetrotter Pee Wee Harrison and artist David Garibaldi, while Greg Vaughn, Bryan Hunter and Dwight Hicks drew the highest bids during the celebrity draft party.

Jacobs said community sponsors remain the backbone of the event because they underwrite celebrity travel, lodging, transportation, meals and other tournament expenses. Among those he highlighted were Rancho Murieta Homes & Land, Planned Solutions, Elk Grove Chevrolet, and Murieta Inn and Spa, as well as numerous other local and regional businesses.

Proceeds from this year’s Gold Rush Classic will benefit Pearls of Life, Make-A-Wish, Jordan’s Guardian Angels, Murieta Trail Stewardship, the Rancho Murieta Kiwanis Kids Fishing Program, Rancho Murieta Community Church youth programs, Rancho Murieta youth sports and other children’s charities.

Looking ahead, Jacobs said planning for next year’s tournament has already begun.

“We’re already talking about next year,” he said. “Our biggest goal is to speed up play so golfers spend less time out on the course while still enjoying the experience. Every year we evaluate what worked, what didn’t and how we can improve the tournament.”

He said organizers also plan to continue expanding community participation while preserving the hometown atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the Gold Rush Classic.