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Events in Review

38th Annual Bob Morelli Memorial Golf Tournament
Bishop Garcia Diego High School

Mark your calendar now for next year, Friday, April 30, 2010! One hundred and one golfers arrived at the Glen Annie Golf Club on Friday, May 1, 2009 for the 38th Annual Bob Morelli Memorial Golf Tournament.  Alumni greeted faithful golf participants such as Greg Wynne ‘72, Chip Turner ‘72, Jack Patterson and Marty Herrera ’72.  MarBorg Industries brought in the “big clubs” with Chris Koeper, Tom Rizk, Jamie Haggar and Dave Pintard.   New golf committee member Mike Cano ’76 built his team with pals Steve Robles ‘81, Ralph Molina ‘79 and John Ceriale ‘80.  Craig Roof returned with the sturdy team of Paul ’79 and John Craig ‘65, Emmet Hawkes ’79 and Gill Torres ‘79.  The committee was happy to welcome some newcomers attending the tournament.  Business First Bank “banked” on their team of David Edelman, Carols Plascenia, Mike Lopez and Kenny Kahn.  Montecito Bank & Trust was a “club length” away with Javier Quezada, Eui Oh, Brian Rajkovich and Eric Heinsohm.  Cardinal alumnus went head to head on the course; Thor Schmidt ’94 from BFI/Allied Waste with Larry Urzua ‘93, Rick Elgueseba and Ben Rivera ‘93 up against Alan Lash ’87 from Lash Construction.  Alan took a completely new winning approach and brought his soon-to-be Cardinal son, Thomas Lash, a true father-son winning team. For the women, it was mother vs. daughter and class of ’77 vs. class of ’78.  The Maureen Bottiani ’78 team stood strong on the green with Shannon Johnson, Susan Parker and Tammy Esposito.  Mother, Kathleen Bottiani kept her two loyal teammates Mary Sebastian and Rosemary Shull who have been playing in the tournament for 35 years and of course mighty Patty Charest ’77.

During registration golfers had the opportunity to purchase the tournament’s mulligan package, receive complimentary cigars from Cigar Empire III along with a special mini spa package to take home to their special loved one.  Prior to the start of the tournament, golfers enjoyed lunch on the patio overlooking the spectacular view of Glen Annie Golf Course.  As an added bonus, golfers lined up for a complimentary shoulder/back massage from Kerry White; Massage Therapist, who also provided a 50% discount postcard in each of the golf goodie backpacks. Hosted by the Alumni Association, the tournament raised over $13,000.  Proceeds from the tournament will provide our students with a values-base, college preparatory education, enabling them to be ready for college and ready for life.  A red sling Bishop backpack awaited each golfer as they headed to their assigned golf cart.  Golfers received a golf towel and tees from Santa Barbara Bank & Trust, $10 certificate from Chuck’s Waterfront Grill – Endless Summer Café-Bar, $10 certificate from Silvergreens, golf note pads from Boone Graphics, sunscreen courtesy of Cottage Hospital, a package of beef/turkey jerky from Shalhoob Meat Co, along with additional golf necessities (sleeve of balls, powerbars, drinks) for their day on the course.    Jim Stovesand, tournament committee member, welcomed all to this 38th 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: Hole Number One: Silvergreens Sandwiches – sample the best sandwiches in town! Hole Number Two: Closest to the pin – part of the Mulligan Package. Hole Number Four: Energy Drinks for all! Hole Number Five: Longest Drive – part of the Mulligan Package. Hole Number Six:  Fess Parker Winery – closest to the pin, win a bottle! Hole Number Eight: Business First – Viva La Margaritas!!! Hole Number Nine: Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant – enjoy taquitos, chips, salsa, and guacamole! Hole Number Ten: Donut Hole – sponsored by Anna’s Bakery. Hole Number Eleven: Returning for the second year, brothers from San Luis Obispo were featured. Owen (age eight) and Jack (age ten) 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.  The efforts of the Avrit boys raised $440.00 that was added to the tournament proceeds.  Hole Number Fourteen: Robitaille’s Fine Candies – grab an ice cold candy bar! Hole Number Seventeen: Domino's Pizza – Grab a slice, just don’t slice your next shot! Hole Number Eighteen: Santa Barbara Bank & Trust – grab an ice cold bottle of water  Congratulations to the Mulligan Package WINNERS! Closest to the Pin on #2– Jeff Holzer ‘89 Men’s Longest Drive on #5– Ryan Nomura Women’s Longest Drive on #5 Tammy Esposito Men’s Putting Contest – Mike Cano ‘76 Women’s Putting Contest – Patty Charest ‘77 A round of applause goes to the 2009 Bob Morelli Memorial Golf Tournament First Place Net 50 Tim Mathis Jim Slaught Carlo Sarmiento Dan Peeters ‘87 First Place Gross 56 Tom Gilles John Gilles ‘03 Aaron Gilles ‘00 Ryan Nomura

Following a beautiful day on the course, participants met in the Glen Annie dining room for a fabulous catered BBQ!  Tables were decorated with bright floral displays provided by B & H Flowers (Parents of Bishop) and white chocolate golf balls from Robitailles Fine Candies (Parents of Bishop), always a big hit 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.   Some of the baskets included the following themes; Caddyshack, Golf Bonanza, Viva La Fiesta, Once a Cardinal, Always a Cardinal, Cocktail Hour, Picnic in the Park, an Executive Fitness Package, Take Me Out to the Ball Game (tickets to the Dodger Game donated by Mission Linens), Wine and Cheese and many more.  Participants also had an opportunity to win some amazing framed golf pictures of famous players; Tom Watson, Tom Kites and other well know golf resorts. Special recognition goes to Andrew Ochsner ’85 owner of Boone Graphics who provided the printing of all golf materials, tee and golf cart signs for the tournament, including the Bob Morelli poster.  The Boone Graphics team is amazing and the school is very grateful for their yearly support. Special thank you to 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, Michele Herrera ’84 Vice President of the Alumni Association, Andrew Ochsner ’85, Mike Cota ’85, Mike Cano ’76,  Jeff Holzer ’89 and Arlene Figone ’60.  The Golf Committee would like to thank our dedicated volunteers who worked the tournament.  Joni Galvan ’81, Kelly Charest ’05, Mark King, Jennifer Sanchez, Carole Taylor, Boris Tayakin, Melissa Placencia, Juliet West, Maria Rogers ’88, Celene Borgatello ’90 and Renee Jaimes ’90.

Fact be known, this is the longest (38 years) consecutive running tournament in the Santa Barbara area.  So mark your calendar now for next year; Friday, April 30, 2010 and be part of this Cardinal tradition!