Mickelson-signed Masters flag is part of Madrigal golf fun

The inaugural Davis High Madrigals Benefit Golf Tournament, planned for Monday, March 11, at the El Macero Country Club, is just a dogleg away.

And while a round on the local links should be enough fun by itself, the involvement of world-famous golf mentor Phil Mickelson Sr. and his wife Mary — parents of PGA superstar Phil Mickelson — will make this day something participants will remember for a long time.

A former naval aviator who lives in San Diego, the elder Mickelson will conduct a rare fundamentals clinics and then join his wife in an address at the awards banquet following play.

In addition, the Mickelsons will add to the evening’s festivites by donating a Masters flag stick to the auction. The flag, which was actually a pin at the major tournament, is autographed by three-time winner Phil Mickelson Jr.

“We are blessed to have them involved,” explains Suzi Kinkle, a Madrigal mom and tourney staffer. “It is generous of Phil Sr. and Mary to be involved with us like this.”

So how did the Mickelsons get involved?

Kinkle taught at a school in Willows where Mike Miller was the vice principal. The two developed a friendship and through that relationship, Miller — although having moved to San Diego — knew the Madrigals well.

Miller, a close friend of the Mickelsons, was attending a function at Chico State with Mary and Phil Sr. last fall. Miller brought the Mickelsons to the DHS group’s wine pour that same weekend and involvement in the upcoming golf tournament evolved.

The Mickelsons’ offspring are well-placed in American golf.

In addition to the pro they call Lefty, daughter Tina is an LPGA professional in San Diego and son Tim is the Arizona State golf coach.

The senior Mickelson rarely gives clinics these days, but in helping to raise money for the Madrigals’ June trip to Italy, he figured an exception was in order.

“Until now, I have been successful in declining requests of this type,” Mickelson joked with The Enterprise. “But you just can’t continue saying ‘no’ to your lifelong best friend’s (Miller) pleading, especially when it’s a good cause (like the) Madrigals.”

Mickelson says he’ll talk about “implementing simple fundamentals around which successful golf swings have evolved for our three children. I plan the clinic to be very casual and informative and expect that requests and questions will partially determine the content.”

At the banquet, Phil Sr. says he and Mary will share personal family stories and “how similar experiences could affect the growth and development of (others’) children.”

Mickelson has been a longtime advocate and benefactor of junior golf and he and Mary have done extensive work on behalf of nonprofit organizations throughout the nation.

Madrigal tournament greens fees are $125, which includes golf, a boxed lunch, the clinic and dinner.

Tickets for the afternoon clinic (time to be announced) or the banquet may be purchased separate from the tournament. The clinic cost is $25 ($10 for youths under 18) with dinner tickets going for $50. The shotgun start is at 11 a.m.

Reservation forms are online at www.davismadrigals.com.

Notes: Additional tournament, prize donation and sponsor information is available from Rafael Soler at respvs@comcast.net.  … The Madrigals will be in Italy June 14-22. They will perform at the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Cathedral and other Italian venues while making Rome and Sorrento their base cities. The DHS choral group has opened the trip to the public as well. Find out more about the cost and logistics by contacting Dion Wiedenhoeffer at 530-219-4774 or at dionww@sbcglobal.net. Deadline to sign up for the trip is March 15.

— Reach Bruce Gallaudet at bgallaudet@davisenterprise.net or 530-747-8047.