Lann Smith, member of Immaculate Heart of Mary in North Little Rock (Marche), takes his swing on a par 4 hole. His four-man group had all played in the Bishop McDonald-Catholic Charities Golf Classic in past years. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Paul Strack, member of Immaculate Heart of Mary in North Little Rock (Marche), gets ready for his swing while friend Tinker Gibbons, member of Christ the King in Little Rock, jokes in the background during the golf classic. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Randy Mayor gets ready to take his swing while playing with other members from St. Joseph Church in Conway. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Father John Marconi, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Conway, takes his putt as fellow golfers Matt Mallett, business manager at St. Joseph, and Randy Mayor watch. (Aprille Hanson photo)

Order photo prints

Weather, donations make successful golf tournament

Golf classic celebrates 21st year with about 140 players, some from Illinois

Published: October 6, 2015

By Aprille Hanson
Associate Editor

Aprille Hanson

St. Joseph School principal Joe Mallett, of Conway, tries to sink a putt during the 21st annual Bishop McDonald-Catholic Charities Golf Classic. His son Matt Mallett, business manager at St. Joseph, and pastor Father John Marconi watch and prepare for their turns.

Aprille Hanson

The 21st annual Bishop McDonald-Catholic Charities Golf Classic at Maumelle Country Club Sept. 21 went “perfect,” in weather, funds raised and friendly competition, said Patrick Gallaher, executive director of Catholic Charities of Arkansas.

About 140 players came out to compete in groups of four. Most players were from Arkansas, but employees from Christian Brothers Services also came to participate from Romeoville, Ill.

Area priests also played, including Father John Marconi of Conway, Father Thomas Keller of Little Rock, Father Tony Robbins of Camden, Father Jason Sharbaugh of Fort Smith and Father Bill Elser of Hot Springs Village.

This year, more than $45,000 was raised, continuing to make the tournament Catholic Charities’ biggest fundraiser. The money will go “to help fill in the gaps in our budget and ensure that we can meet the needs of the poor, those on the margins of society,” Gallaher said. Catholic Charities has several ministries throughout the state that provide immigration, adoption and disaster relief services. It also offers ministries dealing with addictions, prison ministry, social action and the Westside Free Medical Clinic.

The weather has usually determined how successful and pleasant the tournament has been in the past, Gallaher said. With the high of 85 degrees, Gallaher smiled and told Arkansas Catholic, “The weather today is perfect, so today is a perfect golf tournament.”

More than 50 sponsors helped to put on the event, including underwriter sponsor CHI St. Vincent, which donated $15,000. Champion sponsors included Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village; Drs. Amy and Brad Baltz and Arkansas State Knights of Columbus. Food was donated by Western Sizzlin’ in Jacksonville, La Cotijas Mexican Grill in Little Rock, Community Bakery in Little Rock and Daddy’s Deli in North Little Rock.

The winning teams were:

Morning Flight: Steve Craig, Mike McDonnelly, Greg Meadows and Jim Morgan
Afternoon First Flight: Eddie Craven, Bill Dennis, Otto Fry and Todd Krauser
Afternoon Second Flight: Abe Bogoslavsky, Monte Estes, Pat Schevrey and John Denery
Afternoon Third Flight: Bob Hinchley, Kelley Renard, Adam Smith and Greg Wolfe

SEE MORE PHOTOS related to this story at Arkansas Catholic's Zenfolio page, and order prints if you like. You also can browse other photos taken by Arkansas Catholic photographers.