Sacred Heart’s Tenth Annual Golf Tournament: A Truly Memorable Event

by Mary Ann McCulley

It began in the spring, as most good planning does! The Sacred Heart Golf Committee, with Adriana Cillo as coordinator, gathered to discuss, plan and delegate in order to make the parish’s Tenth Annual Golf Tournament, a momentous occasion and a memorable day for all participants. In addition to the usual great gifts for the golfers and raffle prizes, the committee wanted to recognize, in a special way, those golfers who have played in the tournament for all ten years. A great deal of discussion and thought went into determining what these golfers would truly enjoy. Read on to see what they decided!

Weather plays a factor in any tournament. The week before the event, the weather forecast was just wonderful, and spirits were high for a great turnout. Then as Friday, September 28, approached, the forecast changed and a rainy day was predicted. The Golf Committee, however, never utters the word “rain,” and fortunately, the forecasters were proven wrong as it turned out to be a perfect golf day!

At 6:30 a.m., Bob Quinn and Mike Elliott were busy setting up the sponsor signs throughout the course. Coffee and doughnuts, courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts and delivered by Rich McCulley, awaited the golfers as they arrived from 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Mary Ann McCulley and Mary O’Hara greeted the golfers at the registration table and, Irene Kilroy, Meg Lydon, Joan Matulis, and Donna Smith eagerly sold raffle tickets. Adriana Cillo and Monica Haldiman did not have to twist too many arms to unload the Mulligans, as the golfers were looking to pick up a few of those before heading out on the course! Following Msgr. Kelley’s blessing, over 85 golfers teed-off, many of them renewing acquaintances from prior years and waging a few “gentlemanly” bets as to who would win first place this year!

While the golfers were playing, Colleen Verity and her sister, Maureen Mahoney, were eagerly awaiting them at the fifteenth hole where, for a small “donation,” a golfer could tee off from the ladies tee (an advantage some say). Also, out and about on the golf course were Mike Elliott and Theresa Haddad Nealy, taking snapshots of the golfers enjoying themselves in various stages of success!

Meanwhile back at the hall, Bob LePore, Willie Nealy, Bob Quinn, Deanna Libby-O’Connor, and others were busy hanging banners, setting up the raffle table, etc. in preparation for the golfers’ return. Frank Clerici was busy preparing a delicious banquet, consisting of stuffed chicken, vegetable medley, baked manicotti, salad, and rolls. Dessert was a wonderfully decorated cake donated by Joe Murphy from Boschetto’s Bakery in Roslindale.

As the golfers began returning, they were presented with this year’s gift: a twelve-pack insulated cooler bag with the golf logo on it. The cooler contained a special mug commemorating the tenth annual tournament; a long-sleeved white turtleneck courtesy of Gerry Algere; golf balls, tees, and suntan lotion, courtesy of Mary Chmura on behalf of Esquire Deposition Services; and a few other goodies. Our ladies returned to selling raffle tickets for some wonderful prizes. Delicious hot hors d’oeuvres were ably served by Mary Bavis, Irene Kilroy, and Joan Matulis. Msgr. Kelley began with a prayer and a thank-you to all those who contributed in any way to the success of this tournament. After the players enjoyed a hot, delicious meal, the awards were given.

This year’s first place team was the “Chip Shots,” comprised of Tom McHugh, Verner Moore, Keith Coleman and Loren Redburn. For the first time, a team tied for first, but lost in the “match of cards.” That team was the “Hook Shots, with Jerry Algere, Duane Jackson and Wendell Knox, Jr. First place in the Senior Division (graciously handled by Loretta Chmura and Jim Kilroy) was awarded to the “Happy Daze,” namely Jim Walsh of Canton, Kevin Walsh of Brockton, Ed Walsh of Sudbury, and Kevin Walsh of Dedham. Eleven golfers named Walsh played in this year’s tournament, so organizers had to differentiate them by town.

The one and only female team this year the “Femmes Fatales,” featured Golf Committee member Loretta Chmura, Lois McManus, Eleanor Mustin, and Nancy Rogers. They received a special award, too. The last place team, the “McCulley Marvals”: Rich McCulley, Erik Johnson, Mark Connolly and Bob Murad, were awarded traditional weeping towels and a heart-shaped tomato from Adriana Cillo’s garden for better luck next year!

A special gift, a folding stadium chair in a nylon sleeve monogrammed with the Sacred Heart Tenth Annual Golf Tour-nament logo, was given to those players who had played in all ten tournaments: Frank Bowler, Al Celata, Peter Conlon, Rob Consalvo, Dave Fraine, Golf Committee member Ed Freeley, Keith Garland, Gene Kerrigan, Golf Committee member Jim Kilroy, Jerry Martin, Matt McCulley, Rich McCulley, Jr., John O’Connell, and Ed Walsh.

This year’s roster of golfers included: Paul Ahern, Gerry Algere, Sonny Atienza, Matthew Baronas, Steve Bilafer, Frank Bowler, Jim Brennan, Robert Carrigan, Al Celata, Richard Chisholm, Loretta Chmura, Brian Clinton, Keith Coleman, Peter Conlon, Mark Connolly, Rob Consalvo, Kevin Crovo, Paul Crovo, Stephen Crovo, James Currie, Jim D’Amato, Chris Deely, Gerry Delaney, Joe Donnelly, Dave Erwin, Leo Evans, Andy Fraine, Chris Fraine, Denis Fraine, Edward Fraine, Ed Freeley, Keith Garland, Bill Hart, Robert Hickey, Duane Jackson, Scott Jackson, Erik Johnson, Gene Kerrigan, Jim Kilroy, Wendell Knox, Jr., Gerry Martin, John Mazza, Doug McClure, Matt McCulley, Rich McCulley, Jr., Tom McHugh, Frank McKernan, Jim McMahon, Lois McManus, Verner Moore, Luke Moran, Steve Morris, Bob Murad, Eleanor Mustin, Peg Myers, John O’Connell, Chuck Palermo, John Pappas,, Michael Pavone, Chuong Pham, Jack Prendergast, Loren Redburn, Nancy Rogers, Jack Rowley, Sean Ryan, Michael Sherman, John Sullivan, Tommy Sullivan, Mike Sweeney, Matt Tundreault, Lenny Wall, Jr., Bill Walsh, Ed Walsh, Ed Walsh (Sudbury), James Walsh, Jim Walsh (Canton), Kevin Walsh (Brockton), Kevin Walsh (Dedham), Paul Walsh, Peter Walsh, Richard Walsh, and Rose Walsh.

The success of this tournament is largely due to the wonderful sponsors who support it. This year’s benefactors were: Gerald Algere, vice-president of Century Bank; and The Cooperative Bank with offices in Roslindale Westwood, Charlestown and West Roxbury. For their continued support over the years, a special thanks is due to Roche Bros. and Barbara Stier. Thanks are also due to a newcomer, Virginia Burke, who donated in memory of her sister, Audrey Burke.

Kindly remember to visit and thank those businesses or persons who sponsored and/or donated to the success of this year’s tournament, including: Ace Auto & Plate Glass Co., Inc., JB Edward Uniforms, Boston Lodge of Elks No. 10, Exotic Flowers, Joan & Paul Buckley, Atcom Atlantic Components – Titleist Golf, B & D Air Conditioning & Gas Heating, The Cavanaugh Family, Thomas Carrigg & Son Monument, Inc., The Bavis Family, Classic Cleaners, Inc., Mt. Washington Bank, Roslindale Pediatric Associates PC, Sacred Heart School, The Fraine Family, F. J. Higgins Funeral Home, Inc., McLaughlin Family Dentists, The Nealy Family, The McCulley Family, James & Irene Kilroy, HeartBeats of Sacred Heart Parish, Hyde Park Cooperative Bank, Pofcher, DiSciullo & Petruzziello, Sons of Italy, Sophia’s Grotto, St. Theresa of Avila Parish, City Councilor Stephen J. Murphy, Rep. Angelo Scaccia, The Pigott Family, Schell Printing Company, Inc., Sebastian’s Barber Shop, The Bridgemohan Family, The Cillo Family, The Coakley Family, Boston City Councilor Rob Consalvo, AG Edwards & Sons: Christopher Fraine, Financial Consultant, Stella Maris Independent Retirement Community, Mary E. Sullivan, Paula & James Tieso & Family, Walter Timilty, Michael Vaughan, Catholic Memorial, Centre Cuts Salon & Day Spa, Emack & Bolio’s, Sacred Heart 1000 Club, Our Lady’s Sodality of Sacred Heart, Hyde Park Savings Bank, Ron’s Gourmet Ice Cream & Twentieth Century Bowling, A. Boschetto Bakery, Boston Red Sox, Imperial Monogram, Bob LePore, Mayor Thomas Menino, New England Revolution, Solera Wine Shop, Administration, Faculty & Staff of Sacred Heart School, Roslindale Hardware, Dunkin Donuts (Roslindale), Esquire Deposition Services, Albert Winesteins Wine Shop (Hyde Park), Geoffrey’s Cafe, George Wright Golf Course & Pro Shop, Pleasant Cafe, Shaws/Star Market, Supercuts, Birch Street Bistro, Emerald Dry Cleaners, Sophia’s Grotto, The Banshee (Dorchester), Finagle a Bagel, Lord’s & Lady’s International Salon, Uno Chicago Grill, Delfino Restaurant, City View Trolley Tours, Corrib Pub & Restaurant, Fornax Bread Company, Center for Asian Martial Arts (Roslindale), Sowden Bowl Alumni: Edward J. Walsh & John F. Gallagher.

The Golf Committee particularly wants to thank Sheila Ginty and Mary Dillow, parish secretaries, for ten years of support and tolerance with last-minute changes, recordkeeping, etc. Their behind-the-scenes efforts are so very much appreciated! The proceeds from this year’s tournament are earmarked to go toward the Sacred Heart Schoolyard Initiative