A second year in a different venue meant smooth sailing for the annual Leo Alumni Association Golf Outing, which took place on Wednesday, August 7.
With its longtime home at Gleneagles in Lemont having been plowed under and turned into a housing development, the Leo event has shifted to the Green Garden Golf Club in Frankfort. More than 260 golfers turned out for this year’s shotgun start/scramble-format outing, nearly filling the two 18-hole courses that are part of the Green Garden complex.
Co-chairmen Dennis Barista ’74 and Scott Fulwiler ’74 are to be commended for doing a splendid job as organizers, assisted by their wives Laurie and Sallie, their friend Peggy Hochgraver and a hard-working crew of volunteers. John Linehan ’77 merits a shoutout for donating half of his $1,200 split-the-pot winnings to Leo High School.
Dual recognition goes to retired Chicago Tribune baseball writer Phil Rogers, a friend and former colleague of Leo President Dan McGrath. Not only did Rogers travel all the way from his Utah home to play in the event, he teamed with Jim Kennedy and longtime Leo fixture Pete Doyle to record the low round on the Blue Course, a 6-under-par 66
The winning foursome on the Gold Course, at 7-under 65: Jim Keaty ’78, Mark Muench ’79, Mike Ryan ’79 and Jim Wetzel ’79.
“I was in charge of the weather, and I have to say I did a splendid job,” McGrath said of the mid-70s temperature, clear skies and light breezes – ideal golfing conditions.
Among the volunteers whose work contributed to the outing’s success: Pat Barry ’85, Terrance Bates ’86, Ernest Bryant ’97, John Caplis ’63, Jim Carollo ’67, Mike Connolly ’64, Dan Earner ’82, Bill Figel ’72, Ben Nowakowski ’68, Tommy Russell ’78, Joe Sabia ’73, Rich Venckus ’66 and youngsters Eddie Barry, Colleen Barry, Emma Bates and Nicholas Dorn.
“I doubt if there’s another school in the city. and very few anywhere that could attract a turnout like we get for our outing every year,” McGrath said. “It speaks to the alumni’s commitment to keeping the spirit of Leo alive and thriving.
“Alumni support is the engine that drives us.”