2026 Golf Tournament Announcement

 Events, Uncategorized  Comments Off on 2026 Golf Tournament Announcement
Jan 262026
 

The H. Del Beekley Rowing Foundation cordially invites you to participate in our
8th Golf Tournament Fundraiser on Saturday, March 7th, 2026 at the Admiral Baker Golf Course in San Diego.

The morning will start off with player check-in opening at 7:15 AM. At that time players will get a golf cart, have an option to grab some range balls, and take some practice swings at the driving range before our tee times begin at 8:00 AM. Then we’ll kick off our Scramble format tournament through the links. So, whether you consider yourself a pro or more of a duffer, you’re sure to have a great time and end the round with a solid score!  

In addition to the tournament itself, we will have a couple of challenges along the course for anyone who elects to buy the Bonus Packs. The first will be the Longest Drive competition where you can unleash your best drive and put yourself in the running for a prize at the end of the event. The second challenge will require a bit more finesse as you take aim to get the closest to the pin on one of the shorter holes on the course. If the big drive and pin challenges elude you on the course, your bonus pack also buys you raffle tickets to put you in the running for prizes at the end of the event.

All net proceeds from the event will go directly to the H. Del Beekley Rowing Foundation. The success of this event depends on the involvement of many individuals as well as business sponsors who participate in the event and sponsor tees or raffle items. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring a tee or the event through in-kind items, or would like to make a straight donation, please contact the Beekley Rowing Foundation board by emailing info@beekleyrowing.org.

The following registration options are now open on our Square Checkout registration site.  Online registration will close on Wednesday, February 18th at midnight, so head on over and sign up today! Or better yet, rally up a foursome of your buddies and take advantage of reduced pricing for a Foursome with Bonus Pack. And remember, while this event is hosted by the Beekley Rowing Foundation, participation in the event is open to all! We’re looking forward to seeing you on the course!

Registration Options

Foursome or 3 Players + Sponsor an Athlete – $500
Includes golf and carts for 4 golfers. Only have a three-some? We’ll round out your threesome with a current team member.

Foursome Bonus Pack – $90
Includes 4 Closest to the Hole, 4 Longest Drive and 120 Raffle tickets

Single golfer – $130
Includes golf and spot in a cart to be grouped with 3 others

Single Under 27 Golfer or Athlete Sponsorship – $120
Includes golf and cart for people under the age of 27

Under 27 foursome – $460
Includes golf and cart for 4 people under the age of 27

Bonus Pack – $25
Includes Closest to the Hole, Longest Drive and 30 Raffle tickets

Tee Sponsor – $150
Includes a professionally made Tee Sign with your logo on the course and 30 Raffle Tickets

 Posted by at 7:30 AM

The Fall racing season is upon us!

 General Announcements, Newsletters, Uncategorized  Comments Off on The Fall racing season is upon us!
Nov 012023
 

State of the Team – Fall Racing Season Is in Full Swing

The Aztecs have been recruiting, training, and racing hard. As you read this the team has raced in the Rowing Cares Regatta in San Diego, and is training for the Pancake Regatta in Long Beach as well as the San Diego Fall Classic. Currently the team is racing a varsity 4, novice 8, novice 4, and a women’s novice 4.

In addition to training and academics, the team is planning many fundraising events, including: a letter writing campaign, working local events such as Bookfest, a Cane’s fundraiser at the Santee location Dec. 6 2pm-10pm, and an auction that will be announced soon (auction items will include cruise tickets, Kendra Scott necklaces, and museum tickets).
You can see the team’s schedule and fundraisers here.

Foundation Buys Much-Needed Boat Parts

Over the Summer the team requested help with the purchase of much-needed parts to service and repair their racing shells. The Board voted to approve, and committed to paying for over $5,000 in parts. Except for some back stays coming from Australia, the parts have been received and installed. The H Del Beekley Rowing Foundation is proud to be able to assist the team in getting race-day ready!

Padres Game with the Team

Past and present Aztec Crew members turned out for the Padres final home game win against the Cardinals. It was an exciting 12-2 battle that included lots of nods to the US military, including a flyover by two F-35 aircraft. There were many novices on hand to enjoy a day at Petco Park and meet the “old guys”. We’re all looking forward to another day at the ballpark next year! Special thanks to Assistant Coach Brett Stinson for organizing the event.

Homecoming Tailgate – On Hold

Initially we were planning on holding the annual Homecoming Tailgate on Saturday 11/4. Unfortunately the football team is having what we like to call a “rebuilding year” and interest in the homecoming tailgate has been thin. Thus, we will plan on coming back in 2024 with renewed vigor and – hopefully – a revitalized Aztec football team. Serendipitously this will give the team an opportunity to recharge after the Pancake Regatta, and be ready for the Alumni row and Fall Classic the following weekend.

Fall Alumni Row

On Saturday, November 11th, come join the current team for the Fall alumni row. Meet the new athletes, strap yourself into a late model shell, and relive your glory days! The alumni row is always a fun event, bringing together generations of Aztec rowers to pull for a common cause and reminisce about their personal rowing experience. Afterward, chat with the current Aztecs over bagels and coffee. If you plan to attend or have questions, please visit the event Facebook page or email Info@BeekleyRowing.org.

The following day – Sunday, November 12th – is the San Diego Fall Classic, so you can make a weekend of it! No wires-to-poles, we promise! The race schedule and course map can be found in this Google Doc.

Become a Mentor To A Current Athlete

Get to know a current rower and impart some wisdom! Join the new Alumni Mentorship Program to get matched up with an Aztec, share your experiences and provide guidance about rowing, career development, or life in general.

Get more information and sign up here.

Alumnus’ Lightweight Quad Takes 3rd at Worlds

Aztec Crew alumnus and former Beekley Foundation president Bernard Aparicio and his lightweight quad earned third place at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia! Third in the world is pretty amazing. You can read about their adventure here.

 Posted by at 5:05 PM

Boat Dedication of the “CWO4 George Louis Gadsden”

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Nov 142021
 
CWO4 George Louis Gadsden

Thanks to all of the generous donations of our alumni and supporters, the H. Del Beekley Rowing Foundation was able to work with the team to purchase a 2017 Pockock 8+ from the University of Texas at the end of the 2019 season. The boat was purchased not with a single donation, but through the generosity of over 50 Alumni over the previous two years. As the largest single donor towards the effort, alumnus Ed Baldry (‘86 – ‘88) was given the opportunity to name the boat and chose to dedicate it to lifelong military hero and family friend: CWO4 George Louis Gadsden.

While COVID foiled our original plans for the dedication in 2020, we were blessed with an absolutely beautiful day at the 2021 San Diego Fall Classic to host the dedication and a brunch in his honor. Alumnus Ed Baldry delivered a heartfelt dedication that included the presentation and reading of a plaque that will be hung in the Boathouse and tells the story of CWO4 George Louis Gadsden. The plaque reads as follows:

George Louis began his life’s odyssey in Philadelphia, PA on February 8, 1936, as the youngest child of James Gadsden, Sr., and Isabel Deas. In 1953, at age 17, he persuaded his sister, Marie, to sign his enlistment papers and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Air Force. George moved to Charleston, SC, in 1959 and joined the US Navy.

Other than the love of his family, the Navy was his passion. Due to the Navy’s mandatory retirement policy, he retired after a 30-year career. In 1987, he petitioned the Department of the Navy because he felt he had more to offer. He was recalled to active duty in 1988 to the USS Independence for an additional five years. He began his Navy career at Naval Base Charleston SC, as a Seaman E-3. He advanced quickly in the enlisted ranks, reaching his highest enlisted rank of Chief Petty Officer E-7. George simultaneously applied for the Limited Duty Officer and Chief Warrant Officer Program and within 30 days was selected for Chief Warrant Officer.

George had a long and illustrious military career and in his 35 years of naval services, he had many tours of duty that took him to military bases around the world. While in Vietnam, he earned a Purple Heart and many other medals and commendations. All total, the Bos’n completed 40 years of combined military Service.

Ed Baldry (left, 1986 -1988) with members of the Gadsden Family
 Posted by at 9:52 AM

Fall Classic Alumni Row & Boat Dedication

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Oct 312021
 

Alumi Row – Saturday November 13th @ 7 AM

Come get on the water with this year’s team and relive the challenge and camaraderie of Aztec crew during our annual Fall Alumni row. After COVID blocked this activity last year, we’re more than excited to be able to host this event for the first time in 2 years! This year, more than ever, we’re hoping to have a big group of our alumni come out to show the new crop of Aztec Oarsmen what this program means to them.

Please make a plan to join us for a comfortable row and revive old memories with another beautiful morning on Mission Bay. After the row we’ll have some coffee and muffins available, so plan to hang around and converse with the team and other alumni.

Fall Classic and Boat Christening – Sunday November 14th

This year Crown Point shores on Mission Bay will once again be playing host to the San Diego Fall Classic on Sunday November 14th. This has always been the biggest Fall event held on Mission Bay and will be the first regatta for many of our new oarsmen to don the Red and Black and find out what this sport is really about! In addition to the race, this year the Foundation and Alumni Ed Baldry (‘86 – ‘88) will be hosting a brunch and christening ceremony for the Pocock 8+ that was purchased just before COVID. The family of the boat’s namesake – CWO4 George Louis Gadsden – will be in attendance.

Thought of joining the 1925 Club? Now is the time!

1925 Flyer Logo

Over the last month and a half we’ve seen a nice bump in people joining the 1925 Club, and the best news is that two of them decided that $19.25 a month wasn’t quite their speed, so they kicked it up to $100 a month! We’re now consistently receiving $500 a month in donations from just our recurring $1925 club donors! In addition to the monthly donors, we received individual donations totalling another $1,200 in the last month.

Recurring donations help the Foundation plan consistent strategies for helping the program. Things like establishing a healthy boat rotation schedule without needing to raise all of the funds in one shot; contributing annually to coaching, equipment maintenance, and big events; and eventually establishing a long-term fund that can support the team into the future.

Please consider joining your fellow alumni by joining the 1925 Club today!

Schedule of Events: 2021-2022 Season

COVID has forced us to place the tentative “TBD” label in front of many of our events this year, but we are optimistic that we will finally be able to gather together in groups again soon. Keep an eye open for more details as we will be finalizing many of these events in the near future.

Alumni Events

DateEvent
November 13, 2021Fall Alumni Row
November 14, 2021Boat Christening
February 12, 2022(TBD) Golf Tournament
March 25, 2022(TBD) Crew Classic Banquet
March 27, 2022H. Del Beekley Annual Meeting

Team Racing Schedule

DateEventLocation
November 14, 2021San Diego Fall ClassicMission Bay, San Diego CA
February 19, 2022Gruenberg CupTBD
March 5, 2022Cal Challenge CupNewport Harbor, Newport CA
March 12, 2022Newport RegattaNewport Harbor, Newport CA
March 26-27, 2022San Diego Crew ClassicMission Bay, San Diego CA
March 30-April 1, 2022WIRA Regional ChampionshipsSacramento, CA
 Posted by at 9:51 AM

Olympic Past and Present

 General Announcements, Newsletters, Uncategorized  Comments Off on Olympic Past and Present
Mar 142021
 

We wanted to take a moment to congratulate current board president Bernard Aparicio on his showing at U.S. trials last month in Sarasota. 

Bernie lining up for the first round of the repechage
Photo credit to Row2k

Bernie has been training for a spot on the U.S. lightweight olympic national team since 2019, rowing with the Vesper high performance team in Philadelphia. After missing the Vesper selection for the lightweight mens 2x, Bernie decided to enter into the open weight 1x trials to race against 24 of the fastest single scullers in the United States vying for a lane in Tokyo. 

Despite having only a few weeks to train in the single leading up to the event, Bernie placed 9th overall in what is the most competitive race in the United States. As former Aztecs rowers we can’t help but be equal parts nostalgic and proud of what Bernie has accomplished to date.

From all of us at the foundation and Aztecs everywhere – Congratulations Bernie!

See the full results of the olympic trials here.

Garrett Klugh

With Tokyo fast approaching, we wanted to take a moment to highlight to story of Aztec and Olympian Garrett Klugh, who rowed at SDSU from 1992 – 1997 and competed in the straight four during the 2004 Olympic games in Athens among many accomplishments during his rowing career.

To this day, Garrett has remained involved with the team, speaking to the athletes about his experience and inspiring Aztecs to consider rowing at the highest level. Check out his recent interview below on the Athlete to Entrepreneur podcast and to hear his full story including his experience rowing at SDSU.

Click the picture above to listen to the full episode

Episode Description:

“When 9 year old Garrett saw the Olympic torch run by his house in 1984 he decided he’d be in the Olympics. The rest of his story is simply awe inspiring. If you like grit, persistence, twists/turns, romance but no-violence, all told by a master story teller.

2021 brings a renewed hope, and unprecedented challenges for the future of the team and the Beekley foundation. Consider doing your part to help make the foundation successful by contributing monthly via our online donation system.

 Posted by at 2:55 PM