The flier for the second annual golf tournament at Del Webb Spruce Creek’s Eagle Ridge Golf Course, to benefit The Villages Honor Flight Program, featured Uncle Sam pointing straight at readers, saying “I Want You!” Reminiscent of World War II posters which urged enlistment in the armed services, the flier touted a 12:45 p.m.. shotgun start, and lots of tempting prizes for men, women and mixed foursomes.
David Blackston, of Blackston Financial Services, sang the National Anthem, and the Del Webb Spruce Creek Veterans’ Honor Guard presented the colors . Blackston was a ‘Medal of Honor’ level sponsor, donating $3,000 to the Honor Flight tournament, and Fidelity Financial Services’ donation of $2,000 made them a Navy Cross level sponsor. Silver Star sponsors ($1,000 each respectively) included Plaza Cadillac of Leesburg, the Dole Group and Freedom Title & Escrow. StateSen. Alan Hays, who is a Coast Guard veteran, and Realty Executives of The Villages, each became a Bronze Star sponsor with their $500 contribution.
A total of 288 golfers signed up, for a full field of 36 holes, but the weather was not very cooperative. Bands of drizzle alternated with heavier rain most of the day, but the players and volunteers kept their eye on the goal of raising well over $25,000 for their cause.
“We’re not going to let a little rain stop us,” said tournament coordinator and Marine veteran, Jerry Lemerise, who resides at Del Webb. “We’ve just put too much work into this to cancel.” Volunteers pointed to the entrance banner which said: “Thank you for supporting our veterans — all they did was save the world.”
A pre-game lunch plus a dinner of ‘half-a-rack of ribs, half a chicken, delectable starches and veggies and amazing desserts’ at Toppers Tavern were included in the entry fee, which helped to warm the hearts of the soggy participants as they returned from the golf course. There were awards for the longest drive contest winner and great hole-in-one prizes available. Raffles, and a 50/50 drawing sought to garner more funds.
As just about everyone in Central Florida knows, The Villages Honor Flight organization flies many World War II veterans to visit the military monuments in Washington D.C. each year and welcomes them home to American Legion Post #347 in Lady Lake with great fanfare. For those veterans who may be unable to endure the arduous trip, a ‘flightless’ Honor Flight, in which honorees were driven by bus to a Washington D.C. trip simulation at Colony Cottage Regional Recreation Center, debuted this year and will be repeated in 2015.
Lemerise was so happy with the list of sponsors, he was able to list all the names from memory — without referring to his notes. For a hole-in-one, Phillips Chrysler Jeep would provide a 2015 Jeep Cherokee; the Jenkins Auto Group in Leesburg would provide a VW Convertible and a Hyundai Sonata. Further, Advantage Golf Carts of Wildwood promised an Easy Go golf cart and Cart World of Lady Lake pledged a Club Car cart.
Lemerise was also grateful to Dale Smauden of Brown Golf, who manages Eagle Ridge, for the significant discount he offered on the greens fees and cart rentals.
“Our volunteer hole watchers have a tough job out there today,” Belle Aire Village resident John Driscoll, of Honor Flight, noted. “It’s chill and raining a lot, but they are staying on course.”
The largest raffle prize, which required a minimum bid of $800, was for a 3-day 4-night ‘Stay & Play’ golf package at Florida’s celebrated Black Diamond Ranch resort and golf club, based on a quad occupancy suite.
Inside the Horizon Club building, a long table with silent auction items was set up, including many autographed hats and gloves from such golf greats as Arnold Palmer, Hale Irwin (Taylor Made), Lee Jansen (Callaway) Blain McCallister (SITE) and Chi Chi Rodriguez (Royal Caribbean Classic). On a large screen, a video of the Honor Flight experience played in a continuous loop, depicting various war monuments and the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A warm, sunny day, would have been more pleasant, but everyone was glad they played. Mission accomplished.
