Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians: Raising funds for local nonprofit organizations at golf tournament

SANTA YNEZ, CA - This year’s Chumash Charity Golf Tournament had players coming in from all over the region.

“We traveled approximately 3 1/2 hours from Riverside County Soboba Band of Luiseno Reservation to help support the Santa Ynez Chumash and their local charities," said participant Isaiah Vivanco of the Cumash Charity Golf Tournament.

The focus of the tournament was to raise money for several local nonprofit organizations.

“We took probably over a five hour drive from Temecula to Santa Ynez Chumash. And we played here for several years," said president Andrew Masiel of the Pechanga Resort Casino.

Members of the Pechanga Resort Casino view their participation in the tournament as an “obligation” of sorts. 

“For us I think it’s meaningful for us to participate in this because we actually have a tournament ourselves. And it’s actually reciprocated because other tribes and fellow tribes support each other at their charitable tournaments throughout the year," said Masiel.

Organizers said several tribes came together to participate in this year‘s golf tournament fundraiser.

“You have a mix of tribes in this area and I want to say there’s probably about 30 tribes in this tournament throughout Southern California," said Masiel.

Proceeds will go to several organizations to help those in need including the Good Samaritan in Santa Maria. 

"We get to give back to the community and that’s what we wanna do … you know it’s part of who we are as a native people … giving back to our local communities .. . making sure that not only our tribes and our members … but our communities strive in everything you do," said Vivanco.