Fields Joins Former LPGA Star and Longtime Broadcaster Dottie Pepper as Honorees at FOG’s Upcoming 44th Annual Charity Tournament
Tournament Presented by Konica Minolta Set for October 7th at Bel-Air Country Club
Los Angeles, CA – Friends of Golf (FOG) will honor longtime board member and accomplished veteran financial services executive Joe Fields with The Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award at its 44th annual charity golf tournament presented by Konica Minolta on October 7th at Bel-Air Country Club, it was announced today by FOG President Peter Best.
Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Jim Nantz will be on-hand once again to present awards and interview this year’s honorees at the tournament, which will also honor former LPGA star and longtime broadcaster Dottie Pepper with The Eddie Merrins Trophy.
Fields, who has played an instrumental role in FOG’s history as a board member since 2012, most recently served as Managing Partner of Friess Associates, which managed the Brandywine mutual fund family. During his four-decade career, Fields served in a variety of leadership positions with investment banks and other top financial institutions, and he’s led numerous philanthropic initiatives, including his current role as Director of the Evans Scholars Foundation. The Evans Foundation supports 1100 young men and women with four-year full college scholarships.
‘Joe Fields’ continued dedication and support of Friends of Golf and the long list of other philanthropic initiatives he’s helped lead, makes him the quintessential recipient for this year’s Ken Venturi ‘Spirit of Giving’ Award,” says FOG Chairman Sal Cimbolo. “He joins our other tremendous honoree, Dottie Pepper, for what should be another truly special event this year.”
Fields added, “I first met Ken Venturi at the 1978 NCAA Golf Championship where he was the guest of honor. I had the great privilege of speaking to him regarding the tournament and the opportunities the game of golf creates for all of us fortunate to play the game. I reconnected with Mr. Venturi at FOG 30 years later and we had a great laugh about how our hair color had changed to gray!”
In 2012, FOG created the inaugural Ken Venturi “Spirit of Giving” Award to honor Venturi and his commitment to being an inspiring and motivating force for young golfers everywhere. Venturi, who passed away in 2013, was a Friend of FOG for many years, almost since its inception. Through the years, he graciously committed his time to support the mission of FOG and conducted numerous clinics for players and helped attract many top professional golfers to contribute their time to the organization’s various initiatives.
Fields joins an illustrious group of past recipients of the “Spirit of Giving” Award, including last year’s honoree former PGA of America President Tom Addis III, Al Michaels (2022), Vin Scully (2020), Tom Debrowski & Joseph Sindelar, Jr. (2019) and Ely Callaway & Oliver “Chip” Brewer (2015).
Pepper will be joining a stellar group of past FOG honorees at this year’s event, a list that includes Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Annika Sörenstam, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa, Patrick Cantlay, Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa and Juli Inkster.
Konica Minolta is the Title Sponsor of FOG’s 2024 tournament, while Callaway is the Major Equipment sponsor, Skechers is the Major Footwear sponsor and johnnie-O is the Major Apparel sponsor.
ABOUT FRIENDS OF GOLF (FOG)
Originally founded in 1979, FOG has donated over $10 million to both national and Southern California college, high school and non-profit golf-focused organizations. Legendary professional golfer and Bel-Air Country Club teaching pro Eddie Merrins (“The Little Pro”) and a group of Los Angeles-area golfer helped organize FOG’s first annual golf tournament intended to benefit the neighboring UCLA men’s golf program. Since then, FOG has hosted 43 annual charity golf tournaments at Bel-Air Country Club and honored some of the game’s top stars including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, Annika Sorenstam, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Lorena Ochoa and Collin Morikawa. FOG supports student athlete golfers by instilling the values of honesty, ethics, and fellowship with a true appreciation for the game. From the time boys and girls enter grade school through the end of their college experience, FOG makes it possible for aspiring junior golfers (irrespective of economic standing) to play, compete and excel in this exceptional sport.
FOG also founded and backs a number of leading national amateur golf awards including The Ben Hogan Trophy, presented each year to the top male college golfer through a joint venture with Colonial Country Club, and The Dinah Shore Trophy, which is similarly presented to the top female golfer through a joint venture with the LPGA Foundation. Friends of Golf, Inc. is recognized as a non-profit, tax-deductible organization through Federal I.D. #95-3668541 and the State of California Franchise Tax Board Organization #1058257. (www.friendsofgolf.org)
For more information contact:
Joe Schlosser
Friends of Golf
joe@schlossercommunications.com
