24th Annual Charity Golf Classic

From The 2010 Golf Chairman

 

Once again, the Golf Tournament was a great success. We made a big change this year in moving the tournament to The course played great and the scenery and weather were perfect.  The smiling faces and rave reviews from the golfers coming off the course were a great indication it was a good choice to switch to this course.  We will be bringing the tournament back there next year as well.  While the course was great, the help that put on this wonderful event was the true star.  The committee and all the great women at St. John of God, namely Marliese Becker, are a big reason for the tournament running so smoothly.  It is their effort, time, love and dedication that help make this tournament a great success.

 

Also the great sponsorship that comes in every year from Mike Smith at Bob Smith Toyota, Dr. Gary Rudolph of PrimeCare Pharmacy for the many tee-gifts and the William H. Hannon Foundation for the trip to Hawaii for our raffle. All these are a huge boost to the tournament.  These sponsors along with all the great golfers that came out are the reason for the great prizes that many of you went home with this year. 

 

There is always the hottest item on the market given away each year and this year it was the iPad.  The anticipation and excitement to see the winner was quite fun.

 

The usual suspects competing were there, including foursomes headed by Tony DeLellis, Mike Smith, Ken Olsen Sr. and Jr., Sam Perricone, Jr., Gary Herman, Joe Foster, Peter Moore, Aiden Comerford, Derek and Joe Wolf, Dick Dunn, Shellie DiSpirito, Greg Sun, Tom Johnston, Henry Reichert, Mark Montgomery, Anne Bryant, Jimmy Markey, Will Smith, Patrick Mahoney, Dave Dean and Alex Guerrero of Tower General Contractors among others.

 

This year’s winning Foursome in the Gross category was led by Pat Mahoney.  Pat has always been a generous supporter of charities and we were fortunate to have him come out and support St. John of God.  It paid off with a big win.  First place low Net went to Jeff Herman, Haitham Jammal, Dan Kirman and Oscar Aguilar.  The Herman’s have not only supported this tournament every year, they figured out a way to win it too.

 

Shelly Hutchason came out swinging and led the Hutchason foursome to the Low Net Mixed title while supplanting the two time defending champion, Kathleen Reichert.  With more and more women joining the tournament each year, the Mixed title is becoming increasingly difficult to win.  The Grahek’s made their presence felt with Billie winning the Women’s Longest Drive and Dave winning the Putting Contest.  Mike Barger won Men's Longest Drive on a shot that may still be going.  Accuracy is Doyle O’Donnell’s middle name when he gets on the golf course which makes sense he won the most accurate drive.  And who can forget Dave Pyron’s near miss on a hole in one with his closest to the pin winner.

 

Tony DeLellis Jr. was this year’s winner of the prestigious Art DiSpirito Award. The award is given by the Helper’s Club to remember the indescribable humanity and benevolence of Art DiSpirito and to honor someone keeping these qualities alive.

 

 

It was a simple choice to present the award to Tony this year. When you think of the golf tournament you think of Tony.  He has participated in it every year and always been so generous.  But the main reason for Tony receiving this award is because of the person he is and all that he represents.  He is truly a man for others.  He has given of his time, effort and money to make St. John of God a better place.  We are truly blessed for the relationship we have with Tony and for all he does. We need more people in the world like him.  He is someone we have all learned a lot from.  Thank you again, Tony, for your continued support.

 

For 24 years now, this tournament has been a great success.  In all those years it has never been lost on St. John of God that it would not be possible to have raised over a million dollars without the help of all involved.  The most important thing is that we have fun each year and raise some money in the process. We have been very successful at both of those goals each year.  Your being there makes the tournament a success and a fun event filled with many smiles and laughs.  Thank you very much. 

 

Will Smith
Chairman

 

Special thanks to Brother Patrick
Who is enjoying the tournament banquet!