Chris James ’10 rolls a putt as teammates Bryan Anderson ’11 and Matt Denman ’10 look on at the 2021 Owl Club Golf Tournament at the Ranch Golf Club in Southwick. The event raised more than $20,000 to support Westfield State Owls athletics. (DAVE FRIED PHOTO)
SOUTHWICK – Westfield State University athletics got a big boost from 132 alumni, friends and sponsors as they participated in the 15th Annual Owl Club Golf Tournament at the Ranch Golf Club on Monday.
The event, which is the biggest annual single day fundraiser for the Owls’ varsity athletic programs, netted more than $20,000 to support Owls’ student-athletes.
“It was great to have a full field out on the golf course again this year,” said Westfield State Athletics Director Richard Lenfest, Jr. “We’ve had such an uncertain past year due to the pandemic, that every gift counts as we look forward to a full athletics season this fall, and we can’t thank our players, alumni and sponsors enough for their great support of Owls athletics.”
Players, who ranged from the class of 1971 to the class of 2022 enjoyed picture-perfect weather on the course.
Westfield Bank served as the lead sponsor of the event. Westfield G&E and Whip City Fiber joined in with support this year, joing longtime supporters Whalley Computer Associates, Barnes and Noble College Bookstores, College Hype Sportswear, Real Dry Waterproofing, and Pepsi.
The foursome of Owls’ women’s golf coach Jim Blascak, Gabe Crane, Mark Jemilo and Ryan Hines ’05 took home top team honors at -14.
Tom Stewart ’88, Rob Atkocaitis, Chris Danielewski and Lenfest were second at -11 on a match of cards tiebreaker, and the quartet of Joe Seckler ’79, Matt Barry ’13, Ralph Barry ’79, and Bob Verdolino ’80 were third, also at 11-under par.
Closest to the pin prizes went to Frank Mochak, Jeff Smith, Lee Owler and Michelle Lee-Scecina.
Katie Sylvain ’09 and Colin Dunn ’19 claimed the long drive awards.
The Owl Club is the giving vehicle for support of Westfield State Athletics teams, and helps to fund team travel, uniforms, equipment, and instruction to give Owls student-athletes the chance to compete at the highest levels possible.
Westfield State’s fall sport athletes begin returning for preseason training camps as early as August 12. Owls’ athletics are scheduled to kick off the 2021 competitive seasons on Wednesday, September 1 with a special “Kick It Up” event at the men’s soccer home opener as the Owls face Fisher College as part of “Welcome to the Nest Week” for new students. – Courtesy of Westfield State University Sports
15th Annual Club Golf Tournament
