This year’s Viva Fresh Open charity golf tournament will be named in the posthumous honor of Ken Martin, founder of Rio Queen Citrus. The tournament will be held April 30 at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort’s prestigious TPC San Antonio (Oaks & Canyons) golf courses.
Presented by BEBO Distributing Inc. and Wonderful Citrus, the Viva Fresh Open will raise funds for a scholarship program open to employees and their respective family, of TIPA-member and Viva Fresh-contributor companies. The goal is to provide funding for students pursuing educational opportunities related to the fresh produce supply chain. This includes agriculture, supply chain logistics, tractor-trailer operators, food safety, finance — any field of study that may be considered important to the industry. A total of 13 scholarships have been awarded to date.
“We’re proud to honor Ken Martin who was such a well-respected industry leader,” said Ed Bertaud, director of retail sales for IFCO and golf tournament chair. “Each year we remember and celebrate those individuals who have had a major impact in our region. It’s also fitting that we’re raising funds for the next generation of students with this scholarship program who will become leaders themselves.”
Mr. Martin spent most of his career farming in Texas and founded one of the largest citrus and onion grower-shippers in the Rio Grande Valley. He was an early proponent of the now famous Rio Star Grapefruit. Throughout his career, he served on numerous industry committees and boards. He died Aug. 7, 2019, and the regional industry mourned at the loss of the great leader.
“Participants will enjoy the iconic Texas hill country views and weather, while supporting a worthy cause,” said Bertaud. “The par-72 courses have played host to the PGA tour’s Valero Texas Open since 2010 and have prestigious roots: The Canyons course was designed by Pete Dye, while the Oaks course was designed by Greg Norman with player consultant Sergio Garcia.”
As the golf tournament winds down at 6 p.m., all Viva Fresh attendees are invited to enjoy food, beverages, and live music at the 19th Hole Celebration, hosted onsite at the JW Marriott’s River Bend Pavillion.
For more information or to register for the 6th Annual Viva Fresh Open Golf Tournament, please contact the Texas International Produce Association at info@texipa.org or call 956/581-8632.
