WHY THIS TOURNAMENT?

The Laszlo and Gizella “For the Kids!” Charity Golf Tournament is dedicated to the parents of our good friend Stephen Varga. Both Stephen’s parents, Laszlo and Gizella, lost their lives to cancer a few years ago, and this tournament will be played to honor their memory by raising funds for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Over the last 8 years, Stephen has been one of A Light Network’s biggest supporters, and we can’t wait to do something great in his parent’s names.

We asked Stephen to give us a statement on who his parents were, and why this tournament would be a good way to honor them. He wrote:

Laszlo Varga Jr. was born on December 22nd, 1945 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany to his mother, Elizabeth and his father, Laszlo. At a young age his family emigrated from Europe to the United States, settling in Cleveland, Ohio after a number of years in New Jersey. He earned an undergraduate degree from John Carroll University and a Master’s Degree from Kent State University and began his career as a teacher. While in Cleveland he met the love of his life, Gizella Beck, and they got married on June 28th, 1968.

Gizella Varga was born on June 14th, 1947 in Budapest, Hungary to her mother Maria and her father, Frank.  Like Laszlo, she too emigrated to the United States with her family at a young age and settled in Cleveland, Ohio.  And like Laszlo, she too became a teacher after earning a degree in education from Notre Dame College of Ohio.  Her love of kids and striving for their betterment would become a defining factor for the rest of her life.

In 1975 Laszlo and Gizella moved to Phoenix, Arizona to start a new chapter of their lives. In 1989, their son Stephen was born.  Laszlo shifted careers and became a small business owner in Phoenix, starting a number of small businesses including a daycare for kids. Gizella would later become a teacher and aide at St. Francis Xavier elementary school.  Laszlo and Gizella were both passionate about helping children reach their full potential, to laying foundations upon which kids, including their son Stephen, could develop and build upon their goals.

Sadly, later in life both Laszlo and Gizella would both develop separate forms of cancer that, after strong and courageous fights, would ultimately claim their lives. In their wake, we hope to turn these tragedies into triumphs.  Anyone who met them will know what strong, caring, hard-working, and loving people they were.  They both were dedicated to helping children reach their full potential, and we believe that fundraising for the Phoenix Children’s Hospital would be a cause near and dear to both Laszlo and Gizella’s hearts.  Now more than ever, their ideals of kindness, hard work, and compassion for others are needed in these trying times, and we hope that the proceeds from this tournament can make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it the most.

We are incredibly proud to call Stephen a friend, and we can’t wait to help support Phoenix Children’s in Laszlo and Gizella’s names.

TOURNAMENT RULES

• 4 person teams

  • Men play from White Tees

  • Women play from Orange Tees

• Each team member hits a tee shot on each hole. The team then collectively decides which of the four balls is in the best position to play next. After the team decides which ball is best, they mark its position. Each player retrieves their ball (if it is still retrievable), and plays a shot from the new designated position. This procedure is repeated for each shot until a ball is holed.

• Tee to Green

  • Players may improve their lie within one club length from the designated position no closer to the hole

• On the Green

  • Players may hand place their ball within four inches of the designated position no closer to the hole

• All putts must be holed out (no gimmies)

• No Mulligans (unless purchased at the start of the round)

• In the event of a tie

  • A hole will be selected at random, and the team with the lowest score on that particular hole will win. If the tie continues, holes will be reviewed in succession from the first chosen hole until a winner is found (ie; if the 6th hole is randomly selected and the hole is a tie, we will look to the 7th, then 8th, etc until a winner is found)

*A NOTE REGARDING COVID-19

We fully understand the gravity of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and so we will take the necessary precautions to keep our tournament attendees safe. During the tournament we will strongly encourage the use of social distancing practices among players, volunteers and staff members. We will also provide masks for all players, volunteers and staff members. Over the next month leading up to the tournament, we will keep a close eye on any developments regarding the current pandemic. If for any reason the tournament cannot take place, due to COVID-19 or any another reason outside of our control, we will issue full refunds to all players.