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The 21st annual Bishop McDonald-Catholic Charities Golf Classic at Maumelle Country Club Sept. 21 went “perfect,” in weather, funds raised and friendly competition, said Patrick Gallaher, executive director of Catholic Charities of Arkansas.
About 140 players came out to compete in groups of four. Most players were from Arkansas, but employees from Christian Brothers Services also came to participate from Romeoville, Ill.
Area priests also played, including Father John Marconi of Conway, Father Thomas Keller of Little Rock, Father Tony Robbins of Camden, Father Jason Sharbaugh of Fort Smith and Father Bill Elser of Hot Springs Village.
This year, more than $45,000 was raised, continuing to make the tournament Catholic Charities’ biggest fundraiser. The money will go “to help fill in the gaps in our budget and ensure that we can meet the needs of the poor, those on the margins of society,” Gallaher said. Catholic Charities has several ministries throughout the state that provide immigration, adoption and disaster relief services. It also offers ministries dealing with addictions, prison ministry, social action and the Westside Free Medical Clinic.
The weather has usually determined how successful and pleasant the tournament has been in the past, Gallaher said. With the high of 85 degrees, Gallaher smiled and told Arkansas Catholic, “The weather today is perfect, so today is a perfect golf tournament.”
More than 50 sponsors helped to put on the event, including underwriter sponsor CHI St. Vincent, which donated $15,000. Champion sponsors included Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village; Drs. Amy and Brad Baltz and Arkansas State Knights of Columbus. Food was donated by Western Sizzlin’ in Jacksonville, La Cotijas Mexican Grill in Little Rock, Community Bakery in Little Rock and Daddy’s Deli in North Little Rock.
The winning teams were:
- Morning Flight: Steve Craig, Mike McDonnelly, Greg Meadows and Jim Morgan
- Afternoon First Flight: Eddie Craven, Bill Dennis, Otto Fry and Todd Krauser
- Afternoon Second Flight: Abe Bogoslavsky, Monte Estes, Pat Schevrey and John Denery
- Afternoon Third Flight: Bob Hinchley, Kelley Renard, Adam Smith and Greg Wolfe
