Banquet raises $1,200 for local sports programs
GILROY — One hundred and one people came out to Don DeLorenzo’s 25th Anniversary Golf Tournament at Gilroy Golf Course on Saturday.
“I was overwhelmed by the amount of people that came out to play,” said DeLorenzo, who marked his 25th year as golf pro at the landmark Gilroy links. “We had just a wonderful time.”
By the time the food was served, about 170 people made their way on the grounds.
Though the emphasis was mostly on having a few laughs and mingling with friends, there were also a few winners in the crowd.
The foursome of Jonathan Higgins, Tyler Parks, Mike Rhodas and Carl Meisterlin captured the men’s division in a match-card playoff with a nine-hole scramble score of 29.
Jeff and Laurie Zibnack, Al Cabassa and Ed Taranto won the mixed division with a score of 33. Julie Berggren, Bria DeLorenzo, Angie Vculek and Margene Peterson won the women’s division with a 36.
Valerie Logan, Vicki Groppe, Nancy Been and Molly Leach brought home the “honesty” award.
The group of Jon Bettencourt, Eric Hanley, Joe Pulford and Chris Keith were the big winners of the day having their names drawn for a foursome at Pebble Beach with a raffle ticket held by Jon’s dad, Bobby.
DeLorenzo’s wife Mia, as well as his children, Daniel Rorvik, Bria and Vinny acted as emcees for the event, which drew more than 175 people for the dinner.
Some funds are still being counted, but more than $1,200 of the proceeds will be given away to local youth charities from the event.
Delorenzo said that about 25-30 former employees came out for the celebration.
“A lot of the guys said, ‘Hey, we shouldn’t wait another 25 years to do this again,'” DeLorenzo said.
Also in attendance was Bill Ayer, who hired DeLorenzo.
“That was probably the highlight for me,” DeLorenzo said. “It was special to have him there playing.
