FEATURE STORY The Ghost Tree Invitational and Dinner on the Range
	What better way to finish off the summer than with a fabulous round of golf on Pronghorn’s Jack Nicklaus Signature course, with three friends by your side competing in a scramble format? That is what some 250 golfers were able to enjoy September 8th, 2006. That day marked the introduction of The Ghost Tree Invitational, a new annual golf tournament developed by Combined Communications and The Pronghorn Foundation to benefit the Oregon/Southwest Washington Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation and other Central Oregon charities. During the 2006 event, nearly $45,000 was raised and donated to these causes. The event was such a success that golfers are already looking forward to this year’s Invitational. The festivities take place over a two-day period, beginning with golf in a double shotgun, scramble format. In 2006, the tournament drew players on a national scale, including participants from Washington, California, and Texas. Under typical Central Oregon sunny skies, players enjoyed a fabulous round of golf on Pronghorn’s nationally recognized Jack Nicklaus Signature course. Players only needed to bring themselves and their clubs; each was greeted with fantastic tee prizes, a complementary breakfast, lunch, beer, snacks, and of course, a cigar. To encourage those fantastic shots throughout the day, the list of prizes was truly amazing. The most enticing may have been for a hole-in-one, and included two Cadillac Escalades from Bob Thomas, a Centurion ski boat from All Seasons RV & Marine, and an RV from Big Country RV. Not too bad for one great shot. The most ambitious competitors had the option of several categories to compete in. The first place gross and net teams competing in the Pebble Beach Division of this premier tournament advanced to the National Finals at Pebble Beach in January. To qualify, players had to follow strict regulations when forming their team. Individual and team handicaps both factored into their qualification. The National Kidney Foundation’s annual tournament, the National Finals, is a four-round scramble tournament with a gross and net division made up of finalists from qualifiers around the nation. For those teams not wanting to qualify for the National Finals, there was a separate gross and net category in which to compete. Prizes for all teams who placed within these categories included gift certificates at Pronghorn’s clubhouse. A round of golf on Pronghorn’s Jack Nicklaus Signature course is, in and of itself, a fantastic way to spend one’s day. But with friends, business associates, or even just acquaintances competing with you, a volunteer catering to every need, and beautiful Central Oregon weather, the entire experience is simply remarkable. To top it off, the player’s hard work as part of the Ghost Tree went to benefit the National Kidney Foundation and local charities. The second part of this annual event, Dinner on the Range, was held on the driving range at Pronghorn on the evening of the second day. Ghost Tree Invitational golfers, their spouses, locals and tourists attended the event which was described as a “smashing success”. Nearly 1,000 attendees enjoyed the fruits of 16 local restaurants, seven renowned West Coast wineries, and four beverage vendors, as well as a silent auction and dance beats by Seattle’s very popular band, Hit Explosion. For those of you who live in or frequently visit Central Oregon, you know first-hand what magnificent talent we have within our restaurant scene. Dinner on the Range provided 16 of these fantastic restaurants and chefs with a first-class event to demonstrate their culinary expertise. The impressive list included; 38 Degrees, Bluefish Bistro, Jackalope Grill, Merenda Restaurant, Scanlon’s, Ariana Restaurant, Café 3456, Café Sintra, Kanpai, Pronghorn, Staccato, The Blacksmith, Cork, Kokanee Café, Victorian Café, and Vino Mercato. The food varied widely and included dishes such as pancetta wrapped shrimp, truffled wild mushroom bread pudding with seared pepper beef tenderloin, elk osso bucco, sushi, and duck satay. To accompany all of these fantastic dishes were wines from seven well-known West Coast wineries; Jordan, Stags’ Leap, Ridge, Woodward Canyon, Pepper Bridge, L’Ecole No. 41, and King Estate. Other beverages included beer from two local breweries; Deschutes Brewery and Silver Moon Brewing, and last but not least, coffee from Bellatazza and water and a variety of soda from Pepsi of Bend. This first-class culinary event also included a fantastic nine-member band from Seattle that played energetic disco music as guests danced the night away. Voted “Best Live Performance Cover Band” by the Northwest Music Awards Association, Hit Explosion performed authentic 70’s and 80’s disco and dance hits, combining exceptional musicianship with an electrifying presentation. The group of nine set itself apart with its diverse and talented lineup, allowing for impressive reproductions of the original 70’s hits. The silent auction was large enough to require its own tent near the food and beverages. There were nearly 75 auction items on display, including lavish trips to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska, golf packages, sports paraphernalia, artwork, wine lots, and private dinners with local executive chefs. All of those involved in the event were thrilled by an abundance of amazing dishes from fantastic local restaurants, an astonishing selection of wine and beverages, a dance floor that was filled the entire night, and a bustling silent auction tent. So thrilled that the 2007 event has already been scheduled and will occur on September 7th and 8th, 2007. Both the golf and dinner are open to the public. Come join the party, finish off your 2007 golf season with this fantastic two-day event at Pronghorn and support the National Kidney Foundation and other local charities. COGG
~ © 2007 CENTRAL OREGON GOLF GUIDE ~