Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Off they went … one after the other … a convoy of electric golf carts at the Santa Maria Country Club, sailing by onlookers on the green and heading for the gorgeous golf course.
The carts carried 124 golfers, from up and down the coast, who paid $225 each to play in Marian Medical Center’s (MMC) 21st annual Golf Tournament, held Monday, March 29.
This annual event honors the memories of the late Dr. Felix Fly and Leland “Butch” Simas.
Among those signed up to tee-off at 10 a.m. were 15 ladies.
“This is the most female golfers we’ve ever had in this tournament,” commented staffer Laurie Shiffrar.
One of them, Kerry Dolan, told me that the goal of her foursome was “not to come in last.”
The gorgeous day began with a continental breakfast of donuts, coffee, and fresh fruit in the bar, where later I enjoyed some time with MMC Foundation board members Angelica Gutierrez and Mary Spallino (of Trattoria Uliveto restaurant fame). These ladies performed Red Cross aid duties by traversing the golf course in carts, dispensing cold beverages and energy snacks.
Two past MMC Auxiliary presidents, Linda Wilson and Luana Martel, distributed warm-up vests to the sign-ins. The Auxiliary also sold “mulligans” for $20 each or two for $30. (Mulligans give players a second chance after a bad move.)
The eighth hole, close to the railroad track, was a most popular spot. Here, midway in the course, lunch was served. The Elks Lodge, in honor of its legendary member, Butch Simas, dispatched a barbecuing team and provided tri-tip, beans, salad, and brownies, all served up by a half-dozen Marian Auxiliary volunteers.
Around 2:30 p.m., golfers trickled into the bar and dining room for hosted drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Dr. Charles Merrill, who took photographs for a slide show, finished preparations just in time.
Enjoying the après golf social hour were David Richardson, Jeff York, Scott Coe, and Dr. Bruce Mize, as well as John Will, who shared a table with Foundation Board member Sue Sword and Betty Dowling.
Three-ish, everyone assembled in the dining room for the presentation of awards. MMC president and CEO Chuck Cova thanked the golfers for their “giving, caring camaraderie in the community.”
St. Louis de Montfort Church’s Father Mark gave the invocation. Forgive me, Father, but shouldn’t they be praying before the tournament, not after? Lynette Muscio, executive director of MMC Foundation, delivered exciting news to the room: Next year, in response to very heavy public demand—yes!—there will be a bloody Mary station.
Dr. Mark Juretic, co-chair of the tournament (along with Nancy Thayer) announced winners of awards (gift baskets, golf balls, golf shirts) for various accomplishments, like the longest drive. Eddie Murray, Jr., won this prize in the male division.
I marked Monday, March 29, as the day I learned to drive an electric golf cart (it’s a snap) and saw the entire, very beautiful SMCC golf course for the first time. Thanks to pro shop manager Mike Valdez for pointing me, literally, in the right direction.
Proceeds from the tournament will go to MMC’s Cornerstone Campaign, responsible for the construction of a 188-bed, state-of-the-art medical center adjacent to the present facility.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Apr 8-15, 2010.