Date:
8/5/2008
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 575.562.2253
PORTALES—Justin Liles, systems operation manager for Instructional Technology Services at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, is organizing a benefit golf tournament in memory of his mother on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course. The “Bonnie Liles Memorial Golf Tournament,” a four-person scramble, will begin with a luncheon at 11:30 a.m., followed by a shotgun start of 12:30 p.m.
The first 40 pre-paid players will receive commemorative t-shirts. The entry fee is $50 per player, and reservations are requested by Aug. 12.
Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams, as well as for closest to the pin and longest drive. Mulligans (for taking shots over) will be available for $5 each, and gift bags will be provided.
Bonnie Liles was 49 when she passed away on Aug. 17, 1988, only months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor. It was also her 31st wedding anniversary with her husband, John. Justin Liles, also 49, is donating all profits from the tournament, scheduled almost exactly 20 years from the day his mother died, to the American Cancer Society.
“Mom was a very kind person. She was widely known for her sewing ability," said Justin. "She made lots of wedding dresses, prom dresses and cheerleader dresses. She either sold the dresses at cost, or gave them away. She even made my wife’s wedding dress and all of her bridesmaids’ dresses.”
According to Justin, his mother was the long-time postmaster of the now-defunct post office in the town of Bard, east of San Jon. She lived most of her life in the Porter area, halfway between San Jon and Logan.
“The tournament is just my way of honoring what she meant to me and everyone who knew her,” said Justin. “Cancer took her way too early, and I and my father would like to do our small part to help others not lose so many good years with their loved ones.”
Those who cannot play in the tournament but would like to donate may make checks payable (with "Bonnie Liles" in the memo section) to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1856, Clovis, NM 88101.
To sign up for the tournament, contact Rex Maddaford at the Tucumcari golf course at 575.461.1849, or Charlie Maciel at the Clovis Municipal Golf course at 575.769.7871.
For more information, call Justin Liles at 575.693.3809 or John Liles at 575.461.3680.