by Bob Lepore

Sacred Heart Parish’s Eighth Annual Golf Tournament teed off on Saturday, October 22, at one in the afternoon. The Committee never planned it to be this way, but Mother Nature, knowing that Bob Lepore, Sacred Heart’s Barbeque King, was running the golf event this year, stuck to tradition and allowed the skies to open up on our traditional Friday outing. (It always rained on the day of the Sacred Heart Barbeques held in June.) So the event was postponed from October 14 to the 22nd. Despite that fact, organizers and golfers still had to deal with Mother Nature’s wrath, which included cool temperatures, drizzle, a raw east wind, a shower or two, and then a heavier shower just as the golfers were entering the last hole.

A hot meal was waiting for them in the great hall at the George Wright Club House at five o’clock on that dark afternoon, almost evening. What a determined group! Not one complaint was heard from any golfer. As is the case every year, they were there for an important cause. Everyone was very glad that October 22 had been chosen as the date when snow fell on the following Saturday!

The day was full of fun. A great group of volunteers was on hand to set up and be ready for our golfers when they arrived at noon. Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, the traditional morning jolt was the golfers’ best friend at noon, warming them up for the cool ride in their buggies to their starting tee. Monica Haldiman reminded them that everyone needed to buy a Mulligan before they left, and Terry Curran, Mary Devine, Irene Kilroy, Meg Lydon, and Terri Munro, sold arms-lengths of raffle tickets for the grand ol’ raffle after dinner. Mary Ann McCulley, without fail, as always, handled the check-in to a perfect tee! No one would ever get in her way as she is so proficient at this task. She even got e-mail addresses from the golfers and in turn, handed out a free raffle ticket!

Adriana Cillo, event coordinator emeritus, and Jim Kilroy were on hand to keep the current event coordinator in line and cool, and to reassure him that everything was going fine. Bob Quinn and Bob Lepore usually take care of getting all the sponsor signs out on the course, but this year they had put them together. John and Stephen O’Connell got the job of distributing them. Jim D’Amato helped set up the tables for registration and Cassandra Curran hung the schoolchildren’s art work in the dining hall as a thank-you to the golfers. Events in past years had supported efforts to improve Sacred Heart School’s facilities.

So the golfers were sent out on the course. Jim Cassidy drove around with his camera trying to catch golfers in trees, in the water, and doing other crazy stunts while playing golf. Father Tim Kearney, also with camera in hand, was sent to the ladies’ tee with a camera to collect proceeds from the guys to move up to get a better score on the 15th. We assigned some of our lady volunteers to assist Father Tim. Terry Curran was the first to go out with him. The other lady volunteers never made it out to allow Terry to get back in. So when she did return, she was as blue as the blueberries in my Aunt Tillie’s blueberry pies. We felt bad for her, but her spirit was intact, and unlike another year, she didn’t lose a shoe in the mud this time.

Our Senior Division, made up of some faithful Sowden Bowlers, friends and parishioners, was out there braving the elements as well. A new rule this year allowed seniors over 75 the option to tee off from the forward tee, giving them a better chance and more incentive to play. It seemed to serve them well, and they deserve a hand for participating.

Rose Walsh was the lady golfer for the day. She won the ladies’ division, the ladies’ longest drive, and even came in last with the losing team! How did she win all this you might ask? Rose was our only lady golfer of the day!

So as the golfers made it back to the clubhouse, they were damp and cold. The bar was dry and warm, and many headed right in there to rid themselves of the chill. Frank Clerici, the caterer, had the food ready as the first golfers arrived. A hot meal, consisting of barbequed chicken, marinated steak tips, roasted potatoes, a vegetable medley, and salad was served. Dessert consisted of a cake depicting the sand traps and watering holes. It was donated by Joe Murphy and Andy Boschetto and was decorated by Josephine at Boschetto’s Bakery in Roslindale.

The grand event for which every golfer, every year, comes to this great tournament, the culmination of a great day, is the grand ol’ raffle. Last-minute chances were sold to golfers and volunteers. Monica Haldiman was so excited this year because she not only had a Ping Putter to raffle off, but also a Ping Cra-Z Putter, Driver, Golf Bag, and Traveler Bag, among dozens of other prizes and gift certificates donated to the event. Bob Lepore drew the tickets; Monica announced the winning numbers to all who could hear (and not hear, but could that day due to the pitch of her voice); and Ryan Lepore handed out prizes and collected the names of the winners. Among some of the prizes were a hockey puck signed by Brad Park, tickets for four to a New England Revolution game in 2006, tickets to an upcoming Boston College football game, a baseball with Trot Nixon’s autograph, and a baseball bat signed by Yaz in 1989! Yes, Carl Yastrzemski, quite the collector’s item!

We must congratulate the winners (and acknowledge the losers) of this year’s event. The Fab Four Fraines team; Andy, Chris and Denis came out on top. Dave Fraine was also a part of this winning team, but had to depart early. The Senior Division winners were the Walsh Wonders team, consisting of Jim, Bill and Paul Walsh, along with Jack Prendergast.

Closest to the Pin on the 4th was Jay Ojerholm of the Rough Riders team. Closest to the Pin on the 17th was Paul Walsh of the Walsh Wonders team. The Longest Drive for the men was a senior, newcomer Al Stein of the Powell Powerhouse team. Longest Drive for the women was our lady golfer, Rose Walsh of the On Par team. Last place honors went to the team, On Par, made up of another group by the name of Walsh: Rose, Ed, Peter, and Richie. Congratulations to all!

There were a number of other golfers who played that day in the rain, just because they wanted to. They were in alphabetical order: Sonny Altienza, Matt Baronas, Frank Bowler, Jim Brennan, Frank and Jerry Carchedi, Al Celata, Peter Conlon, Kevin and Paul Crovo, Ken and Bill Cunningham, Chris and Ed Deely, Keith Garland, Bob Graham, Ed Hogarty, Michael Holland, Gene Kerrigan, Jim Kilroy, Willard Kittredge, Paul Ladouceur, John Lehmann, Willie Martinez, Matt and Rich McCulley, Jr., Tom McHugh, Verner Moore, Luke Moran, Bob Norberg, Bill O’Brien, John and Stephen O’Connell, Brendan O’Hara, David Petersen, Arthur Powell, Jim Sandler, Stuart Sheldon, John Soule, and Matt Tundreault.

Sponsorship this year was up. Many thanks go to all the sponsors for their support. A special-thank you belongs to The Cooperative Bank and Luke Moran, Paul Ladouceur, Jerry Fahey and Stuart Sheldon. A generous gift from the Bank always starts the Tournament out on the right foot. Lepore Protective Services, Inc. and Roche Bros. Supermarkets were also very generous in their support, just as they usually are.

The following golfers could not rearrange their plans due to our postponement, but instead donated: Brian Cloonan, Rob Consalvo and his foursome, Jerry Fahey, Bill Hart, Doug McClure, Steve Morris, Larry Munro, Eileen and Dan Roche, Angelo Scaccia, and Albina Forte. We thank them as well. A number of Sacred Heart organizations also were generous in giving, including Msgr. Frank Kelley, “Heart Beats,” the Sacred Heart Seniors, the 1000 Club, the Ladies’ Sodality and Sacred Heart School Administration, Faculty and Staff.

Many other key sponsors are businesses in the general vicinity of the parish and beyond. Others are well-wishers who support the Tournament in whatever way they can. Acknowledgements and thanks go all the sponsors: ACE Auto and Plate Glass, the Bavis Family, Thomas Carrigg and Son Monument, the Cavanaugh Family, Catholic Memorial, Centre Cuts, Loretta Chmura, Classic Cleaners, the Mortimer Coakley Family, City Councilor Rob Consalvo, J. B. Edward Uniforms, Exotic Flowers, F. J. Higgins Funeral Home, Hot Springs Property Mgmt.-Paul Chmura, Howard Chevrolet, Hyde Park Cooperative Bank, Hyde Park Savings Bank, Jim and Irene Kilroy, Vinny Marino, the McCulley Family, McLaughlin Family Dentists, Mayor Thomas Menino, Mortgage Express, Mount Washington Bank, the Robert Murphy Family, Councilor at Large Steve Murphy, Pofcher, DiSciullo and Petruzziello, Melinda Redfield-Recruitment and HR Projects, Roslindale Pediatric Associates, Representative Angelo Scaccia, Schell Printing, Sebastian’s Barber Shop, the Residences at Snow Place, Sons of Italy, Dr. Richard Spagnuolo, Saint Mark’s in Dorchester, Saint Theresa’s in West Roxbury, Kathy Lydon Sullivan, Mary E. Sullivan, the Tieso Family, the Village Market, Anonymous donations, Mary Lyons Amsler, Amyris Day Spa, Boston Lodge of Elks #10, Mary, Maureen and John Devine, Guys and Girls Salon, Ann and Tom Joyce, Meg Lydon, J. G. MacQuarrie and Sons, P.E. Murray-George F. Doherty and Sons Funeral Home, and Ed Walsh.

Donations were also given by Atcom Atlantic Components, Boschetto Bakery, the Boston Bruins, Boston College, the Boston Red Sox, Dunkin’ Donuts, George Wright Golf Course, Scott Allen and Joe O’Leary, Imperial Monogram, Mayor Thomas Menino, New Balance, the New England Revolution, Norwood Country Club, Off 5th Saks Fifth Ave. in Wrentham, and PING of Phoenix, Arizona.

The Sowden Bowl Alumni came through with a donation as well. At their helm was Jim Kilroy, who got all the senior golfers together and coordinated the Sowden Bowlers’ donation. Thanks go to Theresa and Walter Boggio, Charles Buchanan, Al and Ed Celata, Loretta Chmura, John Gallagher, Thomas McDonough, Eleanor Keady Mustin, Eileen Tangney, and Ed Walsh.

A number of gift certificates were also donated by the following local establishments, as well as a few from the outskirts. Thanks to The Art Emporium of Needham, Atlas True Value, Birch Street Bistro, Cheryl’s Accessories of Dedham, the Corrib Pub & Restaurant, the Cutting Edge, Delfino, Doyle’s, Gusto, Hands Down, Lords and Ladies, Mandarin Gourmet of Brookline, McGolf, Piattini Wine Café and Restaurant of Boston’s Newbury Street and Park Square, Sophia’s Grotto, Spring Street Café, Super Cuts, Todd English Restaurants of Boston (Olives, Figs, and Bonfire), Village Sushi and Grille, Vintage of West Roxbury, and West on Centre. Many thanks go to all of them for their kind support.

The day was fun for everyone involved, and it took a lot of preparation work, but in the end, it was well worth the effort. Golfers, benefactors, sponsors and the Golf Committee all deserve a “round of applause” for their participation, generosity, and time dedicated to playing and/or to volunteering to make the annual tournament an astounding success. This year, Sacred Heart is faced with the monumental project of repairing the slate and copper roof on the church. All the proceeds from this year’s tournament, which raised more than $15,000, will go to this cause called “Project Slate,” the parish’s capital campaign. (See article on page 5.)