In support of the Promotional Products Education Foundation, which in 2023 awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships, 100 golfers from 40 industry companies took a swing at the Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas during the Glen Holt & Fran Ford Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, raising more than $40,000.

“Thank you to all golfers, sponsors, product donors and volunteers who participated or contributed to this year’s golf tournament,” says PPEF Executive Director Kathlene Brethowr. “This golf tournament is a major contributor to the scholarship fund that supports industry employees’ and their children’s education goals while honoring the legacies of two industry icons, Glen Holt and Fran Ford.”

The late Glen Holt, MAS, was a former PPAI board member and Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 2010, and Fran Ford Jr., CAS, was president of supplier Castelli, a division of Magnet, and PPAI Hall of Fame inductee who passed away in 2018. As a dedicated supporter of PPEF, Ford launched the PPEF Glen Holt Scholarship Golf invitational in 2014. The tournament celebrates their lasting legacies with PPEF scholarships named in their honor.

The foursome, sponsored by SnugZ USA, of Brian Christopherson, Interform; Jonathan Cavotta, HALO; Ryan Benko, Eagle Promotions; and Ryan Scott, SnugZ, won first place and bragging rights for the year, as well as hats autographed by pro golfer John Daly. Other wins included:

  • Women’s longest drive – Megan Sears, Koozie Group
  • Men’s longest drive – Brent Belles, B-Squared
  • Closest to pin, women’s – Jo-an Lantz, Geiger
  • Closest to pin, men’s – Herb Miller, Geiger; and CJ Wade, HALO

Golfers also had the opportunity to win two raffle prizes:

  • Phillip Simon, The Branding Agency, won the Weekend in Vegas package provided by Mandalay Bay, including a two-night hotel stay plus a $250 food and beverage credit and two tickets to Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil.
  • Tony Limetti, Ariel Premium Supply, won a round of golf for two donated by Bali Hai Golf Club.

Event sponsors and product donors included SAGE, Antigua Apparel, Bella + Canvas, Laura Holt, Otterbox, Ariel Premium Supply, Theresa Roberts, Hit Promotional Products, Geiger, Proforma, Bag Makers, Charity Golf International, DCX, iPROMOTEu, Logomark, Paul Lage, Print & Promo Marketing, Spector & Co., Cap America, Charles River Apparel, HPG, ISlide, Gemline, Koozie Group, The Magnet Group, Perry Ellis International, Selco and Foxyware/Vegas Golf.

“This golf tournament is our largest fundraiser each year,” says PPEF Chair Janet McMaster, MAS, regional sales vice president with Geiger. “It’s a chance for donors who golf to have some competitive fun, get some exercise and jump-start their philanthropic enthusiasm in the new year.”

McMaster adds adds that 170 scholarships totaling $321,500 will be awarded this year to children of promo company employees (as well as a few employees seeking higher education). “That is 170 families we are helping to secure an education for their child,” she says. “A few will be the first generation in their family to go to a college, a university or a trade school.”

PPEF 2024-2025 scholarship applications are now open through March 15, with recipients announced in June.