A Look Back at Golf & Guitars XVI

Big names, great people, and a good cause—what better two days could country music fans ask for?

Last week was the annual Golf & Guitars country music festival at the Haggin Oaks Golf Complex. For two days, country music stars and fans descended upon the course for one heckuva shindig and raise money for a good cause!

On Monday, VIP Golf & Guitars ticketholders were treated to dinner and an intimate evening with several country music songwriters. Before the musicians took the stage, the Morton Golf Foundation announced their 2024 scholarship winners. Once the presentation was over, it was finally time for the country music to begin.

Artists came out in groups of 4, each playing their own songs and assisting the other musicians on stage. Among those featured were Chris Roberts, Craig Wayne Boyd, Johnny & Heidi Bulford, Erin Enderlin, Mae Estes, Amanda Gray, Elena Jane, Austin Jenckes, Lauren Mascetti, Kevin Post, Kennedy Scott, and Scott Stepakoff.

A wide shot of the Singer/Songwriter Night dinner outside the Haggin Oaks Pavilion. In the distance is the empty stage for Golf & Guitars.
The 12 scholarship winners in attendance at the Singer/Songerwriter night are holding their giant checks with their scholarship amounts. They are smiling and looking at the camera.
A photo of the Haggin Oaks Pavilion outdoor patio during the Singer/Songwriter dinner.
A crowd sitting inside of the Haggin Oaks Pavilion during the Singer/Songwriter performances. The room is packed and listening to the musicians.
Johnny Bulford, Heidi Bulford, and Craig Wayne Boyd on stage during Singer/Songwriter night. Craig is singing with Johnny and Heidi are listening.
Close-up of Amanda Gray holding a guitar while singing on stage at Singer/Songwriter night.
Wide shot of the crowd at Singer/Songwriter night. There are 4 musicians on stage while the room looks packed.

Tuesday started at 9am with the annual Golf & Guitars charity golf tournament. After mingling with fans before the opening ceremony, the players all hit the links to raise money to benefit charities of their own choosing.

Like always, fans were welcome on the course during the tournament as spectators. There were groups set up on holes, ready to collect their favorite musician’s signatures as they played through. Many of the players took the time to stop and talk with their fans and thank them for coming out (or snap a selfie or two!). The mood was lively, welcoming, intimate, and above all else—fun!

Jason Michael Carroll and members of PGA Hope are being interviewed by Molly Riehl from Good Day Sacramento. The man being interviewed is in a wheelchair while looking at the camera, Molly and Jason are laughing at a joke he made.
A close-up of a white golf flag with the Golf & Guitars logo.
Ken Morton Jr. fist bumps a member of PGA Hope as he drives by in a golf cart to his starting hole.
A group of 4 female fans taking a picture with Craig Campbell. One of them is holding the camera to take it as a selfie.
Three golfers stand on the tee box on the 16th hole on the MacKenzie course. One of them is preparing to tee off while the other two watch.
A group of golfers posing for a photo in their golf carts. The two in the front are making a 'shaka' hand sign while the other 3 people behind them have their hands raised.
A group of 6 golfers posing for a photo. They are all laying down on their stomachs with their legs crossed and raised behind them. They are resting their head on the hands while another person takes their photo.

That mood carried well on through the day, all the way to the main event. At 5:30pm, bands took the stage to perform. For nearly 5 hours straight, live country music rocked from the stage. Nothing could stop this party—not even a little unexpected rain!

Cripple Creek Band on the main Golf & Guitars concert stage. Behind them is a large sign that reads 'NEW COUNTRY'.
A wide-shot from the audience's perspective of the main show stage. The crowd is packed and the sun is peeking over the trees, causing a lens flare.
One Flew South performing on the main stage of Golf & Guitars.
Dylan Schneider performing on the stage of Golf & Guitars.
Ashley Cooke waves to the crowd from the stage of Golf & Guitars. The photo is from behind her and you can see the large crowd she is performing to.
Ashely Cooke signing a young female fan's pink guitar.
A group of fans excited during Love & Theft's performance at Golf & Guitars. One of them is a small child making a 'devil horns' hand sign.
Craig Campbell performing on stage at Golf & Guitars during the evening. The stage lights are on, giving everything a purple and orange hue.
A group of female fans posing and smiling during the main concert. Two of them are looking at the camera.
Mark Wills performing at night on the main stage at Golf & Guitars. The stage lights are on without color, illuminating the band.

Of course, Golf & Guitars is a charity event and the true winners were the charities benefitting from the event. During the main concert, Jason Michael Carroll and KNCI radio hosts Tom and Cody presented a special gift to members of PGA Hope, a non-profit organization that helps wounded veterans. Each PGA Hope member in attendance received a custom PING Hooferlite bag and roaring applause from the crowd. The Northern California PGA also received a $29,000 check for an adaptive cart that their program highly needed.

Next, it was time to announce the winners of the golf tournament. In 5th place was Mae Estes, winning $2,500 for Creativets. Tied for second place were Kennedy Scott, Erin Enderlin, and Eric Gunderson, winning $4,000 for Rahab House, Songwriting with Soldiers, and Augie’s Quest respectively. In first place was Chris Roberts, winning $6,000 to keep the Apollo Middle School Choir’s program.

Members of the Northern California PGA smiling while holding a giant check for $29,000 to pay for an adaptive cart.
Jason Michael Carroll on stage with the PGA Hope members in attendance at the event, all with the PING Hooferlite bags they have been given.
Chris Roberts poses with his giant check for $6,000 for the Apollo Middle School Choir.
Mae Estes, Kennedy Scott, Erin Enderlin, and Eric Gunderson on stage with their giant checks for their charities. Erin and Kennedy are hugging while Mae and Eric are looking to the left side of the stage.

With its sixteenth year behind it, Golf & Guitars has raised nearly $2 million dollars for charity since it’s inception. It is a wonderful event that both musicians and fans are proud to be a part of and this year was no different.

Make sure to follow Golf & Guitars on Facebook to learn when Golf & Guitars XVII will be!

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