August 20, 2011 –
MAYETTA: The 9th annual Boys & Girls Club Charitable Golf Tournament was held yesterday at the Firekeeper Golf Course.
Chairman Steve Ortiz gave opening remarks to welcome golfers and to say how proud the PBPN were to host the tournament for the first time on their own course. To Steve’s right in the photograph, in the blue shirt, is Randy Towner, Firekeeper Golf Course Manager.
LPGA golfer Laurie Rinker, third from left, was the celebrity golfer at the event, and is seen, with Dave Albrecht, far left, Steve Ortiz, Jr., and Jeff Ambrose, far right, who were all involved in the event.
A putting contest and other games were held before the tournament began.
Several foursomes played in the tournament like this group teeing off from the first hole.
Frank Shopteese, left, and Gary Mitchell waited their turn to play. Both men (PBPN) have played in the tournament every year and are active supporters of the Boys & Girls Club.
Left to right: Landon Carver, Nathan Hale, Adele Wahwassuck, and Raphael Wahwassuck. Carver works for the golf course, Hale is Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club, Adele works for the Prairie Band Casino & Resort, and Raphael works for the Judicial Center.
Rinker is from Stuart, Florida and became a LPGA golfer in 1982 and has had four professional wins. She greeted golfers on Hole 16 and was helping with the fundraising effort.
Junior Wahweotten and Dominic Ortiz stop for a pose before the tourney.