SHARON MRAZ PRO-AM FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

It was 1983, my second season in Gallup when Sharon Mraz approached me to see if we could have a fund raising tournament for Special Olympics. It took me little time to find out that Sharon was more than a representative or the head of Special Olympics, she was, at heart, Special Olympics of Gallup. Sharon (Towner) had come to Gallup in 1973 to work for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service Otitis Media Project. In a short time, she completed her work, met John Mraz, married him and by the time I met her in 1982, she was a very well known, liked and respected member of our community. So, one year later, when she approached me, how could I say "no"?

We did not have any good dates for a new tournament, so we decided to use our upcoming Pro-Am for that purpose. PGA Professionals are always helpful in events of this nature. Soon, she came with good news, "Pizza Jamboree", a new eatery at the Rio West Mall had agreed to put up $5,000.00 for the tournament, so it became the "Pizza Jamboree Special Olympics Pro-Am". As well, we contacted several other sponsors so we could use as much as the $5,000 for Special Olympics. Pizza Jamboree was the title sponsor for two years until they had to close.

When the Pizza place closed, we had already started preparations for our 3rd Pro-Am together (which was very highly regarded by New Mexico's club professionals and their guests) but Sharon did not panic. She was as determined as she was as a golfer (she was city champion 6 times) and we soon found another title sponsor that lasted for several years: Sunwest Bank of Gallup and the Menapace family, which were our sponsors until Sunwest was sold to Boatman's. To this date, when we host a pro-am, I always play with the Menapace family.

As fate would have it, just about the same time all of this happened, Sharon began a battle with breast cancer and in 1993, she resigned from Special Olympics as she could no longer give them the leadership she had been capable of while healthy. Without Sharon, the Special Olympics program in Gallup was not as much in the forefront as it had been under her tenure and did not have anyone continuing the necessary work and contacts for such a big event. So, as the Pro-Am continued, there were other groups that benefited from its proceeds, from well established and known groups, to "one year" projects, like the "Playground of Dreams". Eventually, for different reasons, our pro-am's last edition was in 2000.

Earlier in the year, after an impromptu meeting with city leadership, it was agreed that we would seek a date for a pro-am this year as we were all were enthusiastic about our future and wanted to bring some of the old tournaments back. At the time, we had nothing in mind as far as a benefit for anyone, however, a couple of months ago, when I saw some of the new volunteers for Special Olympics (Janie Lee Hall, Sabrina Ezzell, Brad Vergien and Tim Kline) bringing the athletes to practice at the golf course, I had this little thought that I could not shake: "It's time, do it". One afternoon, I approached members of the new group and asked if they would be willing to "partner up" for this year's pro-am. I was delighted when they accepted because I knnew we would return to a "Gallup Tradition" in a sense. Just like in 1983, it all came together in a few short weeks. I would not be surprised if it was not Sharon herself who was whispering in my ear: "Its time, do it". OK Sharon, you are right. It's time...let's do it again!