Charlotte Vazquez, Senior Branch Manager
Our community involvement is more than a commitment—it’s a passion. It’s why we have examples on our team like Charlotte Vazquez, Senior Branch Manager in Pueblo, CO. When Charlotte’s husband passed away in 2008, she and her son, Chris Segura, decided to keep his memory alive by organizing a benefit golf tournament in his name. Charlotte is heavily involved and recognized by her community. She has served on the board of directors for the Latino Chamber of Commerce and helped organize numerous scholarship funds in the past. Her unique way to honor her husband wasn’t a surprise to many who know her, but that doesn’t make the feat any less impressive.
On September 7, 2024, the Gil A. Padilla Memorial Glow-Golf Tournament celebrated 15 years of bringing people together in support of the Pueblo community. This tradition also honors a beloved husband, father, and friend, whose legacy continues to inspire generosity and unity within the Pueblo community.
Games, Laughter, and Glow-Golf Fun
The Glow-Golf Tournament is not your ordinary golf outing. Golfers play the first nine holes during the day, and then the fun begins! After stopping to share dinner, the golfers play the rest of the tournament in the dark on an LED-lit course. The participants experience a blend of traditional and lighthearted activities as they make their way through the course. Along the way at certain holes, golfers can participate in games that add a touch of fun to the evening—teeing off from a toilet seat, playing a "Happy Gilmore" hole, or even kicking a ball instead of using a golf club..
Sponsorships are offered to local businesses and partners, which gives them an opportunity to support the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County and participate in the event. This provides a mix of community members and supporting organizations that makes for a fun night for the entire community. Sunflower Bank is a regular sponsor and supporter of the tournament.
In 2024, the event raised $10,000 for the Pueblo Boys & Girls Clubs, which brought the all-time total donations to it to $75,000 and the total donations over the years to all organizations to over $120,000. Eighty players participated in the tournament in 2024, taking the all-time participant count to over 1,000.
A Partnership Rooted in Community Impact
For Charlotte, this event is deeply personal, not only because it honors her late husband, but also because of how much she’s watched it grow over the past 15 years.
“Never in a million years did I think we would be on year 15,” she says, reflecting on the growth of the tournament.
Additionally, Charlotte’s employment at Sunflower Bank and longstanding partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County has strengthened the event’s success.
“We’ve worked with other foundations, but they didn’t materialize like the Boys & Girls Club, who are awesome,” she notes. “They’ve taken over a lot of it, so we don’t have to do it all.”
For the past eight years, the Club has been an event partner, ensuring the tournament’s smooth operation and helping grow its impact on the community. Sunflower Bank has also helped Charlotte execute the tournament in many ways over the years. She describes herself as being in “awe” of the support that is showed by her Sunflower Bank leadership and teammates
We’re honored to support Charlotte and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County as they continue hosting this awesome annual event that brings the community together to help make a positive difference.