The Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament is celebrating its 24th year. Franks Little Party in the Desert has grown each year. The golf was held at Eagle Falls Golf Course in Indio. The pairings party. Friday night party and the Big Black Tie Gala were all held in the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Spa Casino.
Nearly 50 celebrities arrived on Thursday to register for the golf tournament. A pairings party was held Thursday evening with entertainment by Margo Rey. Ron White made a suprise visit to perform for the guests.
The first 18 holes of golf was played on Friday morning after a continental breakfast. A dinner was served on Friday night with Frank’s favorite foods. There was a Live and Silent auction. There were vendors selling items each day at Franks Place area. Iconic actor Dick Van Dyke brought his Vantastix to perform on Friday night. The second round of Golf started with a shotgun start on Saturday morning.
The Black Tie Gala started with a VIP reception party for participants and a cocktail party for other guests. Golf awards were given after dinner was served. Barbara Sinatra spoke to the guests and thanked them for all their support for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center. All proceeds go the Charity and they have raised more money each year to keep the center going as it is a non-profit charity.
The famous Paul Anka performed after dinner. What a show he put on. He started his show by coming to the stage thru the guests at the tables. He brought his own band and introduced them at the end of the show. Paul came down into the audience and walked around greeting fans. He even got on top of a table to sing to the crowd. He asked the audience to stand and sing along with him a couple times. He took a cell phone and sang to a person on the other end and took a camera and shot a photo with a young woman. He had the audience in his hands the whole
performance.
The Starkey Hearing Foundation is the title sponsor for the event, Founders Bill and Tani Austin were unable to attend as they were in another country helping people hear again.
The Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center was started by Barbara and Frank years ago. They service emotionally, sexually and physically abused children. No one is ever turned away because they are unable to pay. On Sunday Barbara held an open house for guests to tour the center and see what they do to help the children.
