A Message from Chamber CEO Douglass Wilhoit:
Golfers get chance to relate to the best

MAY 2008 - I am sure that many of you watched the final round of the 2008 Masters on Sunday, April 13^th as the PGA players battled the fabled and beautiful Augusta National Golf Course along with the brisk and challenging winds that blew all day long.

Well, being the full service Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, we wanted to give golfers here in Stockton an opportunity to relate to the worlds best while playing in the Chamber’s 27th Annual Golf Tournament held the very next day, Monday April 14^th at the fabled (since 1914) Stockton Golf and Country Club.

Many of you complained to me that I had shirked my duties as CEO of the Chamber and did not have Chamber of Commerce weather because of the blustery wind conditions. To those who did approach me whimpering and sniveling before the shotgun start for a full field of 144 golfers, like Past Presidents Joe Bryson, Bob Morrison, Chris Greene and Chamber members like Gene Gini, Clint Harless, Andy Mattos, John Vera and Jim Dyke, to name a few, I say to them that the great Bobby Jones, founder of Augusta National and the Championship is looking down shaking his head at the aforementioned golfer pretenders. They know full well that I did, in fact, do my job as CEO so that the teams had to work together (like the Chamber and it’s membership) for the win and walked away with the trophies knowing they had conquered the wind and the course and were the best of the best.

Of course I am just having a little payback fun with the guys I mentioned above because they gave me a bad time both in person and on the video being shot that day. I, along with your board and staff, appreciate all of the players who came out on a windy (to say the least) day to make the tournament a huge success.

Let me first thank all our sponsors, volunteers, staff members Heidi and Timm, the golf committee and all the players for making this a wonderful tournament in spite of the gale force winds. It shows the staying power of the Chamber’s annual tournament for the past 27 years, and we look forward to being at the Reserve at Spanos Park next year.

I, the Chamber Board, staff and golf committee members certainly want to give a rousing and enthusiastic standing ovation to the Stockton Golf and Country Club staff for setting the bar at a very high level. The management team of Bob Young (General Manager), Rich Howarth (Director of Golf), Kelley Spooner (Head Golf Professional), Ron Boehm (Food and Beverage Manager), Nicholas Sanchez (Executive Chef), Shelby Gacer (Event Coordinator), Jim Alwine (Golf Course Superintendent) and all their staff members made the day, from start to finish, a tournament that received many, many appreciative comments from all the players and volunteers for a job well done.

Another team effort is that of the Stockton Thunder and all the fans. At deadline time for Port O Call the Thunder is still in the thick of the playoff battle and hopefully they will be able to continue on in the playoffs after they beat Vegas in their quest for the Kelly Cup. No matter what, it has again been a thrilling and record-breaking season and thanks to the team and the fans from all over the region.

The Ports and the Lighting are in full season now and do take advantage of the excitement, the family and community fun and the great experience of going to the ballpark and the arena.

I also know in advance that the 23^rd Annual Asparagus Festival was a rousing success in both providing much needed funds to the local charities but also a big shot in the arm for the City of Stockton. Many thanks to the City staff, volunteers, venders and the attendees for making it another great year. Just wait till next year when the Marina, hopefully, will be completed. Soon the City will begin in earnest the construction of the new marina that will add so much to the continuing comeback of downtown and the waterfront.

April 28, 2008 was the deadline for members to vote for five new board members for your Chamber and we will announce the results in the June Port O Call and say thanks to the retiring board members for their service.