On Friday, April 25, 2008 Bishop Garcia Diego High School celebrated an annual tradition, the Bob Morelli Memorial Golf Tournament. Fact be known, this is the longest (37 years) consecutive running tournament in the Santa Barbara area. The tournament raised over $18,300, proceeds supporting the school’s Athletic program which provides equipment, uniforms, travel expenses and other athletic needs throughout the school year.
Ninety-two golfers participated in the tournament which was held atGlen Annie Golf Club. Golfers were greeted at the check-in table by ever-enthusiastic Bishop Alumni who assisted with the selling of a special mulligan package providing golfers with entertainment throughout the tournament. To add to the fun, each golfer was able to select from a variety of cigars donated by local cigar shop; Cigar Empire III. Owner Sam Atiah also included in the package a gift certificate, pen and matches.
A tournament player’s gift bag awaited each golfer as they headed to their assigned cart. Golfers received a golf towel from Mission Linen Supply, a Santa Barbara Bank & Trust gift pack (golf towel, balls and tees), sunscreen courtesy of Cottage Hospital, bottled water donated by Trader Joe’s, and a package of beef jerky from Shalhoob Meat Co, along with additional Bishop items for their enjoyment.
Jim Stovesand, tournament committee member, welcomed all to this 37th annual Bishop event. Before sending the golfers out on the course Fr. Tom Elewaut, principal at BGDHS, blessed all participants.
As the carts headed out, golfers soon discovered an array of surprises at the following holes:
Hole Number Two: Two young golfers (brothers) from San Luis Obispo were featured. Owen(age six) andJack(age nine)Avrit are known for their sizzling exhibition of hot shots off the tee. For $10.00 per drive, the boys teed off with either their irons or woods for a guaranteed shot on the green for each participant. Both Jack and Owen landed every shot five to ten feet from the pin, each time. Jack lipped out three times for a hole-in-one! The efforts of the Avrit boys raised $680.00 that was added to the tournament proceeds.
Hole Number Six: The Closest to the Pin Competition earned the winner of each foursome a bottle of wine provided by Fess Parker Winery, courtesy of Ashley Parker Snider ’82.
Hole Number Ten: Golfers enjoyed appetizers from Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant, courtesy of owner Art Castellanos ’58.
As part of the mulligan package golfers were able participate in contests at additional holes: Men and Women’s Longest Drive, Closest to the Pin and the traditional Putting Contest. Congratulations to the WINNERS!
Closest to the Pin on #6 – Peter Georgi ‘72 Closest to the Pin on #11 – Rob Guillermo ‘64 Men’s Longest Drive on #16 – Kelly Foy Women’s Longest Drive on #16 – Ashley Parker Snider ‘82 Putting Contest – Chuck Wendelberge
Following a beautiful day on the course, participants met on the Glen Annie patio for a fabulous catered BBQ! The tables were decorated with floral displays provided by B & H Flowers (Parents of Bishop) and white chocolate golf balls from Robitailles Fine Candies (Parents of Bishop).
Golfers and guests alike enjoyed the evening as they shared their golf stories and viewed the spectacular raffle items. Tickets were sold through dinner. Following dinner Jim Stovesand and Patty Charest ’77 (with some assistance from the Avrit Boys) pulled raffle tickets and the crowd cheered with excitement for each raffle item winner. Thank you to the following local companies who donated to the golf raffle: Shalhoob Meat Co., Dioji K-9 Spa and Resort, Circle Bar B Guest Ranch, Robitailles Fine Candies, Floral Ambiance, Sea Landing, The Upham Hotel, El Capitan Ranch, Glen Annie Golf Club, Beachside Bar and Café, Mary Jo Williams ’70, Patty Charet ’77, Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, Dr. Mike Macy, Lassen’s Health Foods, SB Foresters, Goleta Valley Athletic Club, Wash-n-Go, See’s Candy, Tom Watts Automotive, Ye Olde Butcher Shop, Destinations Hotels, Rita Rivest Life Coach and friends of BGDHS.
Special recognition goes to Andrew Ochsner ’85 owner of Boone Graphics who provided the printing of all golf materials and tee signs for the tournament, including the Bob Morelli memorial poster on display at the tournament and now hanging proudly in the main corridor of Bishop High. The story of Bob Morelli was researched and written by Patty Charest ’77. You can read the story of Bob Morelli on the Bishop website here.
A round of applause goes to the 2008 Bob Morelli Memorial Tournament, Best Ball of Foursome Net winners with a net of 51! Matt Easterbrook ‘85, Mark Easterbrook ‘82, Tom Ochsner Jr ‘82 and Dr. Tom Ochsner
Special thank youto the Golf Committee for their ongoing dedication to this yearly event and commitment to Bishop Garcia Diego High School. Jim Stovesand – the voice of Bishop football, parent and grandparent of alumni, Patty Charest ‘77 President of Alumni Association, Andrew Ochsner ’85, Mike Cota ’85, Mike Deponce’85 and Jeff Holzer ‘89
