The tournament was a smashing success. We raised $200K for our charitable partners and had a great time doing it. A big thanks goes to all of our sponsors, especially our title sponsor EMERGE and our presenting sponsor United Rental. Their leadership and support for this tournament is greatly appreciated!”

John Arnold, chairman of the second annual Scottsdale Charros Invitational, stated in an email to tournament participants.

The Scottsdale Charros started a golf tournament because of the pandemic as a means to make up for the loss of spring training revenue.

It’s debut in May 2021 scored immediate success with a net of $150,000 raised for charity. The Charros tournament netted 50% more in year two May 6 at Grayhawk Golf Club, 8620 E. Thompson Peak Parkway, Scottsdale.

“We looked for a new way to raise additional money with something rooted here in the community,” said John Arnold, chairman of the golf committee and a Republican Arizona House candidate for the new Legislative District 4, which covers portions of Scottsdale. “The neat thing ...we were able to grow these revenues. Boy, it worked out. We couldn’t be more proud and more thankful to our sponsors and partners.”

There were eight winning players and eight runner ups:

Raptor Cowboy flight 1st place - Colt Knost and Taylor Tryhus
Raptor Cowboy flight 2nd place - Andrew Beardsley and Pat Moore

Raptor City Slicker flight 1st place - Joe Deka and Jose Leon
Raptor City Slicker flight 2nd place -Jeff Long and Charlie Bristol

Talon Cowboy flight 1st place Carl Ellis and Mark Ewing
Talon Cowboy flight 2nd place Brad Brittain and Benoit Beisser

Talon City Slicker flight 1st place Rob Bower and Eric Viavattene
Talon City Slicker flight 2nd place Adam Mays and John Schultz

In addition to chairing the golf tournament, Arnold recently chaired the Scottsdale Charros Education Awards Banquet. While it was a busy time for him, he noted he had great support from the Charros organization.

Much of the golf tournament proceeds will support the Coronado Promise Scholarship program, Arnold explained. The program is in partnership with Coronado Foundation for the Future, Coronado High School, Scottsdale Unified School District, Scottsdale Community College and the City of Scottsdale.

The program started in 2021 with  a handful of recipients while this year the partners quadrupled the amount.  Scholarships will be given May 19. 

“We’re funding first-generation college students in Scottsdale,"  he said. “We are going to pay two years of community college for a little over 20 students.”

Arnold noted students must be a Coronado High School student to apply for the scholarship program.

“We are going to give hopes and dreams to students and let them know our community cares about you.”

For more information, visit coronadopromise.org.

The Scottsdale Charros, formed in 1961, are an all-volunteer, nonprofit group of business and civic leaders who support youth sports, education and charitable causes. For information, visit charros.com.