ARROYO GRANDE, CA—The 27^th annual Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Golf Tournament recently raised $13,000 to benefit energy education at Santa Maria Schools. Hosted by Cannon, a local Engineering firm, the tournament took place with a more-than-full turnout of 152 golfers on Friday, May 24, at Cypress Ridge Golf Course in Arroyo Grande.

Tournament participants, all engineering professionals from the Central Coast and Bakersfield, enjoyed a day of Texas Scramble golf with teams of foursomes. All proceeds will go toward training programs to educate Santa Maria students on energy production and the field of engineering.

“This event allows us to give to our local schools for the purpose of educating the next generation of informed energy consumers and decision-makers,” the SPE Santa Maria Section said in a statement.

“The education programs made possible by this fund-raiser provide a great opportunity to get local kids excited about engineering,” said Liz Moody, marketing director of Cannon, which has hosted the tournament for all 27 years. “It can open their eyes to a whole new field they may never have considered.”

Monies raised by the tournament will fund specific engineering- and energy-related courses, materials, and presentations for Santa Maria Schools—many put on by SPE members themselves. Proceeds will also assist teachers in the purchasing of classroom supplies.

Subjects of the education programs include renewable energy, oil production and exploration, and engineering as a career.

The field of Platinum Sponsors for the event consisted of: Cannon, California Electric Supply & SPOC Automation, Robert Heely Construction, NALCO, Diversified Project Services International (DPSI), and Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP).

Foursomes placing in the tournament included:

• First Net: Joe Hamby, Paul De Witt, Dwayne Kitchen, and Mike Yates
• Second Net: Pete Fox, John Bledsoe, Lance Gannon, and Rick Russ
• Third Net: Robert Heely, Prentice Patterson, Don Miller, and Kevin Peck
• First Gross: Danny Moreno, Trace Moreno, Steve Moore, and Scott Borders