The event was put on by the newly founded Atascadero Police Foundation
ATASCADERO — On Saturday, April 27, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., the community came together at Hunter Ranch Golf Course in Paso Robles for the 13th Annual Atascadero Police Charity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction. The tournament was put on by the newly formed Atascadero Police Foundation (APF).
“This year, we actually started the Atascadero Police Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) organization,” said APF CEO Scott Pipan. “I am the CEO on the Atascadero Police Foundation. We just newly formed it this year, and this is kind of the kick-off as we transition our fundraising efforts.”
The tournament had been hosted by the Atascadero Police Association (APA) for the previous 12 years. The APA still exists and will continue to give back to the Atascadero community. The new APF, which was started this year, will be from which fundraisers for community philanthropy, scholarships, and the like will continue to happen. Community members and business owners will also be able to be part of the foundation and work alongside the APF, while the APA is solely made up of citizens who work for the police force.
Hunter Ranch Golf Course was completely full for the golf tournament, with 130 golfers, including PD and civilian members of the community, coming out to raise approximately $32,000 for the APF and their work in the Atascadero.
“Paso Robles Police Department had a team. City of San Luis Obispo had a team. The Sheriff’s Department, in the past has had teams. We had an Arroyo Grande PD team out there. We have a lot of police teams, but we have a lot of business owners on teams that sponsor,” added Pipan. “We actually have people that come from all over the state of California. Year after year, they play our tournament and spend the weekend here in Paso and Atascadero.”
The event also had lots of fun events outside of the main golf tournament, like a putting contest where a lucky golfer won $500 in cash and had the opportunity to putt for $5,000, which they didn’t make. They also gave away a Traeger grill that Home Depot donated.
“We also had the Atascadero High School football players come out,” Pipan said. “They volunteered their time to help sell raffle tickets and run some of the events we had going on at the golf tournament.”
The APF also held a ceremony where they gave newly established scholarships to two deserving teens from Atascadero High School.
“This year, through the foundation, we started the Luca Benedetti Memorial Scholarship and we awarded that to two local kids, who want to go into public service,” continued Pipan.
Tate Pflum and Chelsea Stilts were both given $2,000 checks, and Stilts was even there to receive hers in person.
The Luca Benedetti Memorial Scholarship Program is a touching way to remember and honor Detective Luca Benedetti’s memory. Benedetti served Atascadero as a police officer for four years before joining the San Luis Obispo Police Department, where he became a detective. Tragically, he was killed in action on May 10, 2021, while serving a search warrant.
Close to 80 sponsors supported the event, including providing food and drink for the day. Pro Tow, West Coast Towing, and Cal Coast Construction were the event’s title sponsors.
“We have a lot of good community businesses and members that have been out here supporting us for a long time,” Pipan added.
The APF will see you back on the green next year.
Featured Image: Chelsea Stilts (second from left) receives one of two Luca Benedetti Memorial Scholarships, given to students who want to go into public service, during the 13th Annual Atascadero Police Charity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction. Photo by Rick Evans.
