November 2026 Newsletter

Golf Tournament Wrap-up.

A Winning Day for Brighter Futures

Golf brought everyone to Sugar Creek Country Club on October 26, but the spirit of community made the day memorable. Presented by Priority Commerce Automotive, Petra Cares’ 2nd Annual Driving Futures Golf Tournament combined spirited competition, delicious food around the course, and a few unexpected moments—including an appearance by Elvis!

We are proud to have raised over $300,000 through Petra Cares’ 2nd Annual Driving Futures Golf Tournament.

Behind the event are golfers, sponsors, vendors, and volunteers whose generosity helps young people build careers, gain independence, and imagine new possibilities.

» View Event Photos «

A visit from Cohort #17 students gave participants a chance to meet some of the young people their support helps empower. Joining them were Auto Tech Instructor Mr. Rodney Schield and drivers Mr. Roberto Olivas, Mr. Robert Benford, and Mr. Donny Hightower—team members who help turn opportunity into everyday progress.

A Little Competition, a Lot to Celebrate

Congratulations to our tournament winners:

1st Place: Steadman Nall, Scott Joseph, Zac Joseph, and Trevor Gold.

2nd Place: Carlos Zubizarreta, Tony Zubizarreta, Keith Storey, and Shawn Goheen
3rd Place: Mike Martinez, Lucious Barnum, Daniel Martinez, and Dr. Joey Simon
High Score Heroes: Dr. Alex Milian, Jennifer Milian, Cris Sanchez, and Melissa Sanchez

1st Place Team

Individual honors went to Tim Girgenis for Closest to the Pin, Andrew Walker for Long Drive, Nick Divirgilio for the Putting Contest, Andy Garza for Bazooka Blast, and Steven Newmeyer for Longest Bazooka Blast Drive.

Hospitality and fellowship were part of the day from the course through dinner.

Big Moments Beyond the Scorecard

The helicopter ball drop delivered an exciting finish for Lezlye Ware, who won two tickets to see the Eagles at the Sphere and a two-night stay at the Venetian! Sean Gore took home the second-place LOCO Tequila bundle, and Rich Kieval won the third-place Tito’s package.

The generosity continued at dinner, where Arnold Gacita put his auctioneer skills to work. Bidding for the 2027 Waste Management Phoenix Open experience resulted in two winning purchases: Justin and Jennifer Baker, and Jordan Smith. Each winning package includes Saturday and Sunday general admission for two and a three-night hotel stay.

With Brian Meza serving as emcee, the dinner and awards celebration connected the day’s fun to its lasting purpose: opening doors for the youth Petra Cares serves.

The Community Behind the Celebration

Our sincere thanks go to Priority Commerce Automotive, every participating golfer, and all the sponsors who invested in Driving Futures. Our volunteers kept the day moving with energy and care, with Regions Bank providing a wonderful team of helping hands.

Petra Cares team and volunteers who helped make the tournament possible.

Vendors brought flavor, entertainment, and personality to the course, while the Sugar Creek Country Club staff helped make everyone feel welcome. Scott Hightower and the Ragin’ Cajun provided a delicious dinner to bring the celebration to a close.

The tournament lasted a day. Its impact will reach much further—helping Petra Cares provide career training and the support young people need to move toward a more stable future.

Thank you for helping us change lives—and generations to come.

We’re grateful for our golfers, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and Sugar Creek Country Club for helping make this tournament a success. More tournament highlights, raffle and live auction winners, and sponsor recognition will be featured in this newsletter.

Welcome New Title & Warranty Class

Petra Cares was proud to welcome its first Title & Warranty class. Students gained valuable knowledge and hands-on experience to prepare them for opportunities in the automotive industry.

Led by instructor Crestina Montemayor, the program provided practical training, professional development, and a pathway toward meaningful careers in the automotive field.