Despite 100-degree temperature, more than 120 golfers and volunteers from across the loss prevention community gathered at the beautiful Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton, CA, to share fun and raise money for a good cause at the second annual Swing for Certification golf tournament. All proceeds benefited the Bob MacLea Scholarships for LPQ and LPC courses and the Loss Prevention Benevolent Fund (LPBF).
There are many things to love about Swing for Certification. First, the game of golf is great exercise and therapeutic. Second, the event is a tremendous way to spend an afternoon with friends and meet loss prevention and asset protection executives and some of the industry’s leading solution providers. Swing for Certification allows sponsors, volunteers and participants to have a great time regardless of the level of golf skill and give back to the industry.
“TJX was excited to support this event again this year,” said Rick Peck, LPC, senior vice president of loss prevention for TJX. “The funds raised to continue delivering a world-class education and certification to practitioners is so very important to our industry.”
This is the fund-raising event of the year for giving back to the LP industry, providing a refreshing venue and giving participants of all levels of golfing skill the opportunity for fun activities and chances to win some cool prizes on the eve of the National Retail Federation Protect conference. Some of the activities included:
- Taking shots from a golf ball cannon that turned a par 4 hole into a potential hole in one opportunity.
- Trying to out hit a young female professional golfer on a par 3 competition.
- Watching a helicopter drop golf balls onto the eighteen fairway to determine the 50-50 raffle winner.
- Not to mention hearing the playful banter between teammates and other competitors on the wild outfits and occasional wayward shots.
Best of all participants had the opportunity to give back to the loss prevention community by raising money for certification scholarships and assistance to families in need. “This event keeps getting better every year,” offered Glenn Scott, JD, LPC, vice president of asset protection for Home Depot. “Terry (Sullivan) and the foundation are driving greater adoption of the LP certification programs as well as providing us an opportunity to give back through the benevolent fund. The Home Depot is honored to be a sponsor of this amazing event.”
At the post-golf award reception and dinner, Terry Sullivan, LPC, president of the foundation, announced that more than $8,000 was raised throughout the day. The funds will provide more than 50 LPQ and LPC course scholarship opportunities that will help others learn and grow as professionals, benefitting both the individual and the profession by improving the knowledge and expertise of those who serve the retail industry.
The money raised will also benefit the LPBF by providing critical relief to help support colleagues and their families in times of personal loss or exceptional need through the extended LP family. Chris Duke, chairman of the LPBF, said, “The event was simply amazing. Thank you to all the participants, sponsors, and volunteers who gave of their time and effort that went into organizing and executing such a fabulous event!”
“On behalf of everyone at the Loss Prevention Foundation, we want to thank all who participated in this tremendous event, and especially to our generous sponsors that were pivotal in making this day a reality,” said Sullivan. “We’re very excited for the many scholarships we will be able to provide to the loss prevention community, and the support that our efforts can bring to those in need through the LPBF. We have, once again, set the bar high for next year. But I’m convinced that by working together, we can match any challenge put before us. Please join us in Pittsburg for Swing for Certification 2020.”