Golf & Guitars fundraiser this Friday

The Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council will host its annual Golf & Guitars fundraiser and concert on Friday, March 24, at Wentz Golf Course, 2928 L.A. Cann Drive, in Ponca City.

The four-person scramble tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Rod Alexander, head PGA pro and PCAH Board President, promises fun games throughout the course with prizes given for the winners. Call the Wentz Golf Shop at (580) 767-0433 to sign up.

Lunch will be provided during registration, which begins at 11:30 a.m. The entry fee of $100 per person includes lunch, green fees, golf cart rental, and two drink tickets.

After the tournament, join the fun at the “19th Hole Party on the Patio” at the Wentz Clubhouse starting at 5:30 p.m.  Music will be provided by popular Oklahoma City guitarists Mark Galloway and Steve Crossley. This free concert is open for anyone to attend. A cash bar will be available for patrons age 21 and over.

Mark Galloway began his music career as a teenager, playing in local bands around Oklahoma City. He progressed to play with some of the top musicians in Oklahoma City. Playing nightclubs and private parties through the ’70s, Galloway developed a reputation as one of Oklahoma’s finest guitar players. Later, Galloway was leader of one of the top bands in Oklahoma City.

As bandleader of the band Sailor, Galloway played thousands of nights over the span of 24 years. He began playing with the legendary “Mojo Men” band in 2013.

Over the course of his career, Galloway has played more than 40 shows at the Oklahoma City Arts Festival; performed at two Inaugural Balls for Oklahoma Governors Frank Keating and Brad Henry; played annual parties for Kerr-McGee, Devon Energy, The Oklahoma House of Representatives, Cedar Ridge Country Club, Southern Hills Country Club, Oak Tree Country Club, Gaillardia Country Club, and many others.

Galloway performed alongside Peter Noone at his Oklahoma City concerts as a member of Herman’s Hermits and onstage with Vince Gill and his band at a concert in Oklahoma City.

Crossley started playing guitar in and around the Oklahoma City area at the age of 14. He played in various local bands including Wheatstone Bridge, Pearly Hawkins, Ringes and Maya. He was a founding member of Capitol Records’ “Oklahoma” band and wrote and sang “One More Round” from the LP. He moved to Hollywood after leaving the “Oklahoma” band and met Glen Campbell while playing in Micheal Smotherman’s band at the Troubadour Club in Hollywood.

Crossley signed a seven-year songwriting contract with Campbell and played guitar and sang with him in the studio and on the road. Crossley has recorded, written and/or played live with Campbell, Burton Cummings, Percy Sledge, Mike Finnigan, Dann Rodgers, Rocky Burnette, Micheal Smotherman, Mark Lindsay, The Diamonds, Leslie Gore, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Platters, the Marvellettes, The Palomino Club House Band, Terry Melcher and Delaney Bramlett.

All proceeds from Golf & Guitars benefit Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, which has provided free arts entertainment for the community for more than 31 years.