 Saturday, February 21, 2009
Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa
Indian Wells, California
Story and photos by Pat Krause
For more Pat Krause photos of the event, click here.
The 21st Annual Frank Sinatra Golf Gala Event is held each year in February. This yearn it was held Feb. 19-21. The guys get to play golf for two days on a great golf courses at the Indian Wells Country Club, one on Friday and one on Saturday so they get to play a different course each day. There is usually a celebrity with each foursome on the course. Sometime they are lucky and get two celebrities on their round such as Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack and her husband Congressman Connie Mack. Mary has been one of the celebrities who has played in this tournament for several years and Connie has joined her for the last couple years. They both believe in the work Barbara Sinatra’s charity does to help physically and emotionally abused children free of charge. Most of the celebrities playing are friends of the tournament and continue to support this cause year after year. Barbara Sinatra, Fe Zandi and model Robin Paige are shown above.
Some of the major celebrities who come every year are Joe Mantegna, Dennis Farina, Tony LoBianco. Pat Boone, Kevin Sorbo, Ron Masak, Rollie Fingers, John Callahan, Frankie Randall, Elke Sommer and Tom Dreesen to name just a few. They play a mean game of golf. Some new players this year were the Gatlin Brothers, Bill DeVane and Deana Martin. Of course they have help from their teammates and it is an honor to win the tournament. The golfers lucked out with such great weather for this game. Barbara Sinatra and Dick Van Dyke go around to several of the holes on the golf course to greet the players on Saturday. They have lunch on the grounds at one of the food stations.
 Then while the guys play golf, the ladies have their day out too. Barbara Sinatra hosted a fashion show luncheon for all the ladies. Even women come whose husbands are not part of the event. Many dress for the occasion with large hats with bows and flowers and designer dresses. Fashionable jewelry dressed up many of the outfits worn by the ladies.
 One group of 12 women wore animal print outfits to honor one of their friends, Marilyn Blue, who passed away last year. This part of the event is well attended with even a few brave gentlemen present. They liked to watch the models too.
Fe Zandi was the designer for 2009 and she brought her own fashion models to wear her clothing line. Gowns in white, black and red were “ooohed” and “aaahed.” Many other colorful clothing for evening and day wear were on the runway. The models really know how to walk the runway and show off the clothes.
 The fabulous evening gowns were to die for, very gorgeous and made in such delicate fabrics and styles. One of the models even walked the runway with a beautiful white dog. The last gown shown was a lovely white wedding dress. Then all the models came on the stage at once. Zandi entered the runway to a standing ovation by the guests.
After the luncheon, each guest was able to take home a goodie bag filled with a gift certificate and a book written by actress and author Suzanne Somers. A silent auction was held for two days to raise money for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center charity.
 Among the many supporters of the event were Jackie Lee and Jamie Houston.
For more Pat Krause photos of the event, click here.
For more information about the 21st Frank Sinatra Starkey Hearing Foundation Celebrity Invitational "Lucky 21,” click here.
For more information about the Barbara Sinatra Children's Center, click here.
For more information about Indian Well Country Club, click here.
For more information about the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa , click here.
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