Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/588129
78 • NOVEMBER 2015 • WORLD FENCE NEWS In a galaxy far, far away (aka, the San Francisco Bay area) Encon Elec- tronics held its 15th annual golf tour- nament for vendors and dealers on Friday, Sept. 18. This year the event took place at a new venue – the Sunol Valley Golf Club in Sunol, Calif. – but still main- tained the same festive vibe as with the previous 14 tournaments. Encon tailored the event around a unique Star Wars theme, which was a huge hit among participants. Attendees began the day by at- tempting the Jabba the Putt contest. Brian Balsbaugh from Valley Entry Systems, Inc. in Escalon, Calif. com- pleted the "Jabba challenge" in the shortest amount of time, earning him a $250 Home Depot gift card cour- tesy of FAAC International – one of Encon's tournament sponsors. Seventeen sponsors contributed to the tournament, including: Ameril- ine, BD Loops, Byan Systems, Click- 2Enter, DAC Industries, DoorKing, EDI/Reno A&E, EMX, Inc., FAAC International, Guardian, HySecurity, LiftMaster, Linear, Miller Edge, Nice Group USA, and Security Brands. "Every year, we have huge vendor support and participation, and for this tournament, our Encon/vendor dinner had more attendees than ever before," said Encon president and CEO Betty Mullin. "As a distribution company, we rely on the support and loyalty of our manufacturers, and it is important to host events like this to cultivate these relationships. Their generous sponsor- ship allows us to host an extraordinary event every year. For that, we are ex- tremely grateful." Foursomes teed off in the best ball scramble at 10 a.m. and earned raffle tickets on the Star Wars themed holes throughout their rounds. They competed for the fastest team time at the "Light Speed to En- dor" hole and tested their accuracy on the "Closest to the Lightsaber" hole. Dan Sanchez from A&D Automatic Gates in Redwood City, Calif. almost hit the pseudo light saber with a shot that landed only 2 feet, 7 inches from the target. He won a GoPro, courtesy of Miller Edge. Attendees also had an opportunity to win $10,000 by scoring a hole-in- one on a particularly challenging par 3. This 200+ yarder was sponsored by Byan Systems, but the wind and dis- tance prevented any golfer from tak- ing home the big prize that day. The longest drive hole (aka, "Star Wars Galaxy" hole) dared participants to hit past the planet markers and into another galaxy. Jake Balsbaugh from Valley En- try Systems, Inc. achieved this feat by hitting his drive well past "Plan- et Dagobah." Balsbaugh won a Zepp 3D Golf Swing Analyzer courtesy of EMX for his stellar drive. Following golf, attendees enjoyed a gourmet lunch sponsored by Door- King, Miller Edge and Byan Systems. HySecurity sponsored all the bev- erages before and on the golf course, and LiftMaster provided compli- mentary drinks after the tournament and during lunch. The event ended with a ceremony, where first place prizes were awarded to Ken and Kevin Gotelli from R&S Erection of Concord and Jim and Paul Parker from Ameriline. Second place went to the Valley Entry Systems threesome and Door- King regional sales manager Lamar Jackson, with a score of 70. Following the awards ceremony, prizes including golf clubs, gift cards, TVs, cameras, and tools, provided by the sponsors, were raffled off. Encon VP of Sales and Operations Jeff Harris said, "All attendees from vendors to dealers to Encon staff had a great time. The course was tough, but fun, and it was in great condition. The weather was perfect and the margarita hole hosted by Chuck VanSickle was a huge success! "This was a fantastic networking opportunity for our industry because we were able to talk to each other in a neutral environment where every- one was relaxed and having a good time," he said. "The Encon golf tour- nament has become an event everyone looks forward to year after year. We are proud to be able to get all these great people together, and we hope to continue this event for many years to come." Encon Electronics Star Wars golf tournament – Episode 15 A large and enthusiastic crowd attended Encon's 15th annual golf tournament for vendors and dealers at the Sunol Valley Golf Club. This year, the relation- ship-building and networking event had a Star Wars theme. (Encon photos) Encon Electronics president and CEO Betty Mullin congratulates the first place winning team: Left to right, Kevin and Ken Gotelli from R&S Erection of Concord and Paul and Jim Parker from Ameriline. Aaron O'Mary from Clark Cadman in Sacramento won a turkey fryer cour- tesy of Kevin Downing of Security Brands. Betty Mullin makes the pre- sentation. Representing A&D Automatic Gate were Art Hird, Linda Hird, Dan San- chez, and Jim Oberle. Flossie Mohler of Miller Edge, Vicki Jones of Encon, Jeff Harris of Encon, and Dusty Beeding of DoorKing com- prised this smiling foursome. Jordan Hoel, Orlando Aguirre and Ron Swartz of Nice Group and Billy Ken- nedy of Encon jump for joy (or some- thing.) Pat Mullin celebrates his birthday by teeing off at the 15th annual Encon golf tournament. Lew Wade of Pristine Security Sys- tems rushes to complete the Jabba the Putt contest using a lightsaber putter. Robb Cecil of A&D Automatic Gate and Joe Weber, Encon sales director, hit the links. Chuck VanSickle of Linear/GTO won the popularity con- test as he hosted the Cantina Hole with frosty margaritas. Sophie Hauville and Nikki Estrada from Liftmaster join Betty Mullin in presenting a TV package to Jake Bals- baugh of Valley Entry Systems. Lamar Jackson and Dusty Beeding of DoorKing and Betty Mullin present TV package to Linda Hird of A&D Auto- matic Gates. See more photos on page 80