The Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Lake and Sumter Counties Chapter held its ninth annual golf tournament for military charities at Havana Championship Golf Course. The MOAA chapter was on track to raise more than $15,000 for Operation Helping Hand, its Junior ROTC scholarships to six local detachments, and numerous military and veteran-related programs.
The tournament moved its locations at the last minute from Palmer Legends. The pro staffs of Havana and Bonifay Country Clubs, under the leadership of Mark Verkey, Ken Roshaven, and Tyler Krager, kept everything moving smoothly.
Registration of the more than 180 people from The Villages and the surrounding area was handled with aplomb by the members of Evolution Dance — who have partnered with MOAA for many years: packing the goodie bags, doing the registrations, and any administrative activity on tourney day. It also gave them an opportunity to offer golfers early reservations for their July 1 performance of “Flags, Freedom and Fireworks” at the Savannah Center.
The tournament opened with an honor guard presentation by Ocala’s West Port High School Junior ROTC cadets under the guidance of 1st Sergeant (retired) J. Bowman.
Also participating were volunteers from The Villages French Club who monitored the hole in one challenge — though for the ninth consecutive year no one received Parr Car’s prize — this year a fully loaded golf cart.
Enjoying an after-play BBQ picnic, the golfers and volunteers were entertained by DJ Bob Fowler. They also enjoyed choosing from more than 50 items from the silent auction to include wine baskets, cigar humidors, certificates for rounds of golf at area courses, signed sporting memorabilia (hockey stick and pucks), and first issue stamps honoring the nation’s Medal of Honor recipients.
After welcoming remarks, Captain Robert Silah (USN,ret.) of Helping Helping Hand thanked the golfers and The Villagers who — over the past 12 years — have helped raise over $300,000 for the patient-veterans. He also stressed that the need continues as the casualties of current operations in Afghanistan and the Middle East unfortunately add to the need to Support our Troops. He was recently informed by the Bethesda Medical facility there are evermore than 800 individuals still awaiting treatment — mostly for PTSD.
