Trading Softballs for Golf Balls

One of the areas that many visitors to our island comment on regularly centers around how active our residents appear to be, regardless of age, and their positive outlook on life. That was on full display last Friday, March 28,  when the Senior Softball League came together for the seventh year of their annual Golf Outing at the Marco Lakes Country Club. 

Tom Pugh, one of the longtime members of the league, joined Justin Roundtree, the Head Golf Professional for the course, and welcomed the players to the par-72 championship course, which features tees ranging from 7,141 to 4,466 yards.

During this annual outing, 112 golfers and friends came out to celebrate the end of their year of competition and share stories regarding the 2024-2025 season. The outing was a best-ball event, however no mulligans were allowed. Depending upon the age of the players, they would be allowed to utilize tee-ups according to their age.

Players started to return to the clubhouse around 12:30 PM for lunch and the award ceremonies. Finishing in first place with a score of 63 was the foursome of Ed Seery, Dan Marinelli, Murph Knapke, and Tom Pugh. Close behind them in second place, at a score of 64, were John Stuart, Dave Koch, Chris Hansen, and Evans Koch, and in third place, only two strokes behind the leaders with a score of 65, were Bob Bellemore, Brian Propp, Patrick McTigue, and Ron Shudes.

Unfortunately, sadness was mixed with the smiles as word quickly spread among the players regarding the unfortunate news of the passing of longtime league member “Buff” Morris. A funeral mass will be held for Morris on April 12 at 10:00 AM at the San Marco Catholic Church and presided over by Father Chuck. It has been requested that those players available to attend do so wearing their softball jersey.