This February, Omicron-Epsilon Zeta San Diego Regional Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha hosted the first annual Lambda Chi Alpha Charity Golf Classic, benefiting the Warrior for Peace Foundation in Oceanside, California. With 88 golfers in attendance—including Alumni from the University of San Diego, University of California – San Diego, University of California – Los Angeles, San Diego State University, and California Polytechnic State University—the event marked a meaningful milestone: the return of Zeta-Pi’s legendary charity golf tournaments.
The event revived a tradition that began nearly two decades ago. From 2005 to 2007, Brothers Eric Harper and Todd Swint organized some of the most memorable golf fundraisers in the Chapter’s history. Their events combined camaraderie and cause with Lambda Chi Alpha’s value of Service and Stewardship. This year’s tournament was not just a nostalgic return, but a bold new beginning—spearheaded by Brother Jake Hankinson (San Diego State, ‘25) and longtime advisor Jeff Witous (California Polytechnic State University, ‘83).
Reestablishing such an event wasn’t easy. Omicron-Epsilon Zeta is unique among Lambda Chi Alpha Chapters: It’s a regional Chapter composed of Members from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego. After going dormant years ago, the Chapter returned to the area in 2021 with a fresh approach—reunified as a regional entity instead of operating as separate Chapters. As a result, some of the foundational aspects of fraternity operations, like large-scale philanthropy, were still new territory.
Rick Lepire (San Diego State, ‘86), an Alumnus with a long history of involvement, saw potential in the young Chapter. Building on previous, smaller fundraising efforts for the Warrior for Peace Foundation, he encouraged the Chapter to think bigger—and suggested that the tournament serve as a major fundraiser for the cause.
The Warrior for Peace Foundation, this year’s beneficiary, is a nonprofit based in San Diego that empowers veterans by helping them transition from military to civilian life. Through deep sea fishing retreats, physical activities, and trauma healing programs, the foundation supports veterans as they seek peace within themselves and in their communities. Importantly, the organization was founded by San Diego State University Lambda Chi Alpha Brothers who saw a need for support for veterans after their military service. The foundation’s mission of “transforming warriors into peaceful leaders” deeply resonated with the Brothers of Omicron-Epsilon Zeta, whose own commitment to leadership, service, and lifelong Brotherhood made the partnership a natural fit.
The first step was assembling an Alumni Committee to help steer the project. Witous and Hankinson brought together a team that included Art Venya, Rick Lapire, and Mike Powell—Brothers with deep ties to the Fraternity and the region. With their support, the group moved into planning mode, developing everything from tournament logistics to promotional materials.
Witous’ network proved instrumental. Slowly, golfers began to register. But filling the sponsor list proved to be more difficult. Hankinson aimed for 18 playing hole sponsors—one for each hole on the course—and initially reached out to businesses that supported the 2007 tournament. While some of those past sponsors came through, most of the support came from businesses owned by Lambda Chi Alumni.
When it became clear that not every hole would have a paying sponsor, the team pivoted. On the remaining holes, they spotlighted nonprofit partners and sorority philanthropies, using the opportunity to build relationships and elevate other causes in the Greek and local communities.
By the time the final putt dropped, the event had grown into something more than just a fundraiser for the Warrior for Peace Foundation—it became a symbol of Omicron-Epsilon Zeta’s resurgence, collaboration, and future potential. This tournament was proof of a concept that the regional model can thrive by leveraging the collective backgrounds, skills, and networks of Brothers from multiple universities to create value greater than the sum of its parts.
Looking ahead, the Chapter has even bigger goals for next year: increasing attendance to 144 golfers, securing 14 hole sponsors, and funding five veteran foursomes at the Golf Classic. With this year’s success as a starting point, Omicron-Epsilon Zeta is already building momentum to make the second annual Classic even more impactful.
As the Chapter continues to grow and develop its identity, events like the Charity Golf Classic remind everyone involved what’s possible when Brothers come together for a common cause.
See photos and event summary of the Lambda Chi Alpha Golf Classic here: https://app.eventcaddy.com/events/lambda-chi-alpha-charity-golf-classic
Learn more about the the Warrior for Peace Foundation: https://warriorforpeace.org/
