Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1314457
Now, well over a half-a-century later, Clint himself is the "Bing" of the tournament as the Chairman of the Monterey Peninsula Foundation which runs the event. Last year alone, the Foundation donated more than $12 million to local causes, including Dorothy's Place, which gets people off the streets and into homes. "Our grant from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation allows us to provide 24 units of transitional housing and a pro- gram that is effective in assisting chronically unsheltered people out of encampment living and into permanent housing. It's so very helpful to have non-govern- mental funding that allows us flexibility in truly meeting our consumers' needs," says Executive Director Jill Allen. Dyana Klein of Max's Helping Paws is thrilled that her nonprofit is a new recipient. "A grant from an organization as esteemed as the Monterey Peninsula Foundation not only direct- ly impacts the fate of the pets and families we serve; now, more than ever, it confirms for us that we're doing right by members of this com- munity, and filling a need that's grown exponen- tially this year," she says. Monterey Peninsula Foundation CEO Steve John says making that kind of impact is the over- all goal. "I have a passion for golf and giving. The whole staff does. I love what I do," John says. He, himself, played the tournament nine times before taking over as CEO in 2011, and affirms that the players—both the pros and the ama- teurs—aren't just in it to win it, but to be part of something bigger than the game. "It's the only celeb pro-am still in existence and we keep squeezing the accelerator, making it better and better every year," John says. "We've got a cult-like group now, our players and sponsors, and we're at about $175 million in giving. It's the most on the PGA tour." The donations are raised by sponsorships, whether from corporations or player entry fees as well as from spectator admissions. But it's not just the dollars and decimals that impress Steve John, it's the dedication. "All these guys and gals who come to play and to volunteer are con- 102 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 Photo: C Flanigan / Getty Images Clint Eastwood, next to country star Clay Walker, shakes hands with musician Huey Lewis at the 2016 3M Celebrity Challenge at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Celebrities represent Team Eastwood or Team Murray with a $100,000 charity purse. The tournament, often called "The AT&T," pumps tens-of-millions of dollars into nonprofit services almost exclusively in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.