Issue link: https://digital.insidegolfmedia.com/i/1135072
CELEBRATIONS G olfers and non-golfers alike in Southeast Los Angeles will flock to La Mirada Golf Course on the evening of July 3 for the club's annual Fore- th of July celebration. The event has quickly become a favorite tradition for locals, and it's one that has helped the course immerse itself in the community while also exposing new people to all that it has to offer. The celebration started shortly after General Manager Ken Blidy arrived in 2017. He had been part of a similar event with a club he worked at in Detroit, and when he learned that a neighboring park put on a popular Independence Day fireworks show, he knew there was an opportunity for the golf course to get involved. "It's a huge event for the city, yet our course didn't do anything to celebrate along with them," Blidy recalled. "When I got here, I heard about the fireworks and knew we should also be part of the celebration and get more involved with the community." Club organizers are expecting up to 500 people to attend the 6-10 p.m. event. Each $30 ticket ($20 for kids 3-12) includes parking, all-American barbecue, one drink, and plenty of family-friendly entertainment such as bounce houses, volleyball and corn hole. Guests will congregate on the top deck of the driving range, around the snack bar and on the 10th tee for the fireworks show. "To be able to get involved in the community and work alongside the City of La Mirada team as well as the county of Los Angeles is rewarding and fun," Blidy said. "Doing an event like this helps grow the game and provides exposure of the club as a whole. It just takes one of those non-golfers to come to the course, see the range or the course itself and get the itch to play. It's not just golf, but it's also the private event side of our facility that guests can enjoy as well." ..................................................... > TICKETS are available by calling (562) 943-7123, ext. 223. SPARKS READY TO FLY La Mirada GC's Fore-th of July celebration engages the community