Event chair Dawn Vukich poses with the foursome from Rancho Santa Margarita, winners of the first-ever Shepherd’s Cup. Photo: Janet Kawamoto
[The Episcopal News] “Worship the Lord in the beauty of 18 hole-iness!” quipped Bishop John Harvey Taylor as the inaugural Shepherd’s Cup Golf Tournament on April 24 brought teams from 14 churches of the Diocese of Los Angeles together at the Industry Hills Golf Club’s “Ike” course. Eighteen holes of play were preceded by a putting contest and followed by a dinner with silent and live auctions and a great deal of lighthearted fun, all to benefit the diocese’s Generation to Generation capital campaign.
A foursome from St. John Chrysostom Church, Rancho Santa Margarita, took top honors and the Shepherd’s Cup.
The Rev. Barrett Van Buren, rector of Blessed Sacrament Church, Placentia, served as auctioneer on behalf of the planning committee, which was chaired by the Rev. Dawn Vukich, golf ace and vicar of Faith Church, Laguna Niguel. Other committee members include Stacey Stephens and William “Doc” Stephens of Church of the Epiphany, Oak Park; Barbara Kilmer of Faith Church, Laguna Niguel; the Rev. Aidan Koh of St. James in-the-City Church, Los Angeles; and diocesan staff members Samantha Wylie, Canon Bob Williams and Canon Clare Bangao.
Lead sponsor for the event was St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, San Juan Capistrano; others included St. James’ School, Los Angeles; St. James’ Church, Newport Beach; Ontario International Airport; Episcopal Communities and Services; CFLC/Prism chaplaincy programs; Faith Church, Laguna Niguel; HP Mechanical; IBE Digital: KCS; Newport Partners; Red Door Vineyard; SouthLand Remodeling; St. Clement’s Church, San Clemente; St. Stephen’s Church; and Thrivant.
Participating congregations were: Holy Trinity & St. Benedict’s, Alhambra; St. Andrew’s, Irvine; Faith, Laguna Niguel; St. Anselm’s, Garden Grove; St. Mary’s, Laguna Beach; St. James in-the-City, Los Angeles; St. Aidan’s, Malibu; St. James’, Newport Beach; Church of the Epiphany, Oak Park; Trinity, Orange; Blessed Sacrament, Placentia; St. John Chrysostom, Rancho Santa Margarita; St. Clement’s by-the-Sea, San Clemente; and St. Margaret’s, San Juan Capistrano.
The second annual Shepherd’s Cup tournament will be held in Spring 2024 on a date to be determined.
A gallery of photos is here.
Teams from St. James’ Church, Newport Beach, at left, and Holy Trinity & St. Benedict’s Church, Alhambra, sport matching shirts for the tournament.