Gainesville man gets in the swing of things

Dennis Baca, Gainesville resident and president/CEO of the Tournament Golf Association of America, loves to golf and loves to give.

He seeks to draw in golfers who never had the opportunity to play in professional, amateur or college leagues, but still have what he calls "a passion for the game."

Baca wants to give these players a chance to compete in a professional association and do so for cash prizes.

But Baca is also working for a cure. He was diagnosed with terminal Multiple Myeloma in 2005.  While the disease is treatable, it is not curable.

His primary charity through TGAA is the Ercole Comini Charity for Multiple Myeloma Research, supporting the Sydney Kimmell Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.  The charity was named after Baca's grandfather, who died within nine months of diagnosis.

This year, the Life with Cancer Center through INOVA Health system, will also benefit from TGAA's char-ity events.

"We will generate donations through our 'Birdies for a Cure' program on the TGAA Tour, through direct contributions," Baca said.  TGAA will also raise funds through its annual charity golf tournament to be held Aug. 31 at Virginia Oaks.

Baca wants to "demonstrate how this community supports charity." Through the TGAA, Baca has helped raise $75,000 in donations since its inception in 1996.

TGAA has sponsored runners in the Marine Corps Marathon, which supports more than 70 organizations, many also focused on cancer research.

But besides supporting cancer research, the TGAA has contributed to the Lindsay V. Fowkes Foundation, which provides art supplies to area elementary schools.  TGAA also has donated to Blue Ridge Assistance Dogs.

Baca does this all while boosting the local economy through a unique service.

According to Baca, the TGAA attracts avid golfers who play more than 25 games per year. Cash prizes topped an annual $22,000 in the late 1990s. For the past three years, winnings have been about $10,000.

TGAA follows guidelines set by the United States Golf Association, the governing body that dictates rules, etiquette, scoring and equipment among other aspects of golf.

TGAA also uses a patent pending handicap system developed from TGAA tournament scores.

Baca said it is important that the TGAA follow USGA regulations because that is what sets it apart from other organizations.

"We offer golfers a unique experience and are hoping to expose both avid and aspiring golfers to the game the way it was intended to be played—by the rules.

"We play by the rules, no matter how painful."

Baca believes Prince William County is an excellent location for golf lovers. TGAA's last tournament drew in players from New York, Arizona, Washington and Florida.

"We've got some really fine golf courses," he said.

Among other locations, TGAA tournaments are played at Gainesville's Virginia Oaks Golf Club, Bristow Manor Golf Club in Bristow, Bull Run Golf Club in Haymarket and Haymarket's Dominion Valley Country Club.

TGAA recently added "Real Time Scoring." Handheld wireless scoring devices, big-screen TV, leader boards and Internet broadcasts connect audiences to the games as they are played. Audiences can also review the action post-tournament. This state-of-the-art service through eGolfScore also sets the TGAA apart from other organizations.

TGAA offers tournaments every weekend from March through October. For more information, visit http://www.tgaatour.com.