Mark French, MBA 98, will be the first to tell you he’s no good at golf.
“I’m a complete hack as a golfer,” says French with a laugh. “I don’t think I’ve had a round under a hundred in a couple years.”
Still, rain or shine, French has been an active member of the Haaski Steering Committee since the tournament's inception in 2002. And he plans to tee off this year on May 13 to help celebrate the tournament's 11th anniversary.
The annual event will begin with a hearty breakfast at the Claremont Country Club followed by a shamble-style golf tournament, complete with prizes for the closest to the pin, longest and straightest drives, and an opportunity to walk away with a brand new Mercedes Benz at the hole-in-one competition donated by Mercedes Benz of Oakland.
French knows he wasn’t recruited for his putting and swinging skills. Organizers credit him for being a consistent and generous donor to the Haas community. “I’m there to support the school and connect with people,” says French, a partner at Robin Lane Capital, a private equity investment firm.
In addition to French, the field of players will include Haas students and faculty, Cal VIPs, coaches and athletes, and Bay Area business leaders. A luncheon will follow the tournament at 2 p.m.
Individual fees are $250, foursomes are $1,000, and there are foursome sponsorship opportunities at the Par $2,500 and Birdie $5,000 levels, which come with program recognition and hole signage as well as recognition in the Haas Annual Report. The event raises more than $50,000 for the Haas School annually.
For more information and registration, visit events.trustevent.com/templates/index.cfm?fuseaction=templates.home&eid=1247 or contact Anna Deering at [email protected] or (510) 642-0727. The deadline to register is May 8.