Golfing for Good

OMCF Raises $17K at Annual Tournament

R.W.B. Gregory A. Hinkelman, Junior Grand Warden

With a spectacularly clear sky and very warm temperatures, the Oregon Masonic Charitable Foundation’s annual golf tournament commenced on Friday, July 19 at the Glendoveer Golf Course. The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for OMCF and we were able to raise $17,099 for the foundation. This was the first time the tournament was held at this course and the participants seemed to be pleased with the course and the accommodations.

The event kicked off at 8 a.m. with check-in and registration. The golfers then mounted their golf carts and with what I could swear was the sound of a trumpet blaring the “Call To Post” at a horse race, they all sped out to their respective holes at 9 a.m. The players consisted of 14 teams competing in the “scramble” format. The teams each started at a different hole and rotated through the course.

The most interesting hole was #9. This hole had a short drive of 150 yards but the players had to tee off with the green being elevated several feet and not viewable (except for the flag marking the hole). On this green, if a hole-in-one was accomplished, paid out $20,000! Alas, the purse was safe for another year as no one made it, but the two most interesting shots came from the Sipps. Playing on separate teams, M.W.B. Craig had the best “chip shot” getting his ball close to the hole and later, playing on the women's team, past Grand Lady Sherri had the best putt on the green making a long shot.

With the day heating up, the golfers began finishing their 18 holes. A nice brisket BBQ for lunch was had and the trophies were handed out. M.W.B. Timothy J. Best addressed the golfers and guests thanking them for their participation and generosity. The best team with a score of 13 under went to the team of Dan Bush, Dave Karns, Kevin Walsh and Matt Herrera. Right behind was the P.G.M. squad with a score of 11 under consisting of Craig Sipp, Mark Posler, Jim Morgan, and Dick Southard. The third-place team of Greg Horner, Mark Curtis, Matt Abere, and Ty Oliver come in at 10 under.

There were some individual awards handed out. Longest drive awards of different age categories went to Paul Miller, Dan Bush, Marc Strong, and Sloan Cameron. Closest to the hole shot, done at the hole-in-one prize hole, went to Mark Osterhout. The closest pin award for the ladies went to Gloria Varner.

There were three other fun competitions for a putt on the green and a chip shot just off the green. The idea was simple: hit the ball so it could go in the hole; many tried, but none made it. The final competition was a “Marshmallow Drive” using, you guessed it, marshmallows. The winner was the person who could drive a marshmallow the furthest. That prize was claimed by Chris Hughes. When all was done, the event was best described by W.B. Andre Cvitanich when he said, “This is for a good cause —I am here for that and the fun.”