OBSERVER Photo by Jared Hill Approximately 148 golfers gathered at Shorewood Country Club in Dunkirk for the 8th Annual DHS/CMHS/FHS Alumni golf tournament.

The sun was shining and the links were lush at Shorewood Country Club Friday morning as 148 golfers took to the course for the 8th Annual DHS/CMHS/FHS Alumni Golf Tournament.

“I think it’s great to see all the alumni: the Dunkirk, the Fredonia and the Mindszenty alumni getting together annually,” Dunkirk Mayor Willie Rosas said. “As Mayor, it’s just good to see that the people of Dunkirk, Fredonia and the Mindszenty get together and enjoy a good day together.”

All 148 participants were either associated with or graduated from Dunkirk High School, Cardinal Mindszenty High School, or Fredonia High School and all of their team colors were all on display yesterday morning.

Although the family-type atmosphere was warm and welcoming, stormy weather moved in fast as the tournament entered into the afternoon. Although the rain did interfere and cut many of the players’ rounds short, they played enough to determine the winners.

The team of Joe Valvo, Joe Valvo Jr., Mike Ringler and Jenny Ringler took first place for the men (-7); they were followed by the team of Rob Gilray, Pete Gilray, Adlai Rosario and Bill Meister (-6). For the women, Jeanette Pehelka, Marian DeSnyder, Judy Waterman, Judy Mowery (-3) took first. In second, Molly Fellinger, Pam Delvernots, Mary Guarino and Julie Carruth (+3). Closest to the pin: Rob Gilray No. 4, Rudi Adamczak No. 6, Dan Wolfe No. 15, Jerry Hall No. 17, Jenny Ringler No. 6 and Mowery No. 7. Longest drives: Mike Ringler No. 7 and Mowery No. 7.

The competition was great, but more than anything you could feel the camaraderie and the togetherness felt between all the attendees.

“This event brings people together from Dunkirk, Fredonia and Mindszenty that want to see each other that have been friends for 50 and 60 years, so we’ve built the camaraderie and momentum,” head organizer Bill Bamonto said. “We have so many repeat golfers now they’re bringing their other friends and family because it’s just a wonderful event. … The people want to be here. … They just love being here. It’s just grown on it’s own. It’s an event, it’s no longer just a tournament.”

The event also featured a silent auction, where proceeds would go to their chosen benefactors. Among the items sold were: Buffalo Bills memorabilia, Pittsburgh Steelers memorabilia, golf equipment and other prizes, perhaps the most interesting of them all was the “Curse of the Bambino”. A copy of the very contract signed when the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919. All the funds raised by the tournament and the auction were donated to the Fredonia and Dunkirk Little League organizations, as well as a contribution to the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame (CSHOF).

Many Chautauqua Sports Hall of Famers were in attendance, such as 2010 inductee, Dave Criscione, DHS Class of ’66. Dan Palmer, DHS Class of ’66 and 2013 CSHOF inductee was in attendance and really grasped the core of what the reunion was all about.

“The first time I was at this particular event … they just invited me to come down and see what happens at the cocktail hour. And I saw all these incredible people from the past, and I said to myself, “Wow! This is an amazing event,’” Palmer recalled. “That was about five or six years ago. … Since then it’s grown tremendously from 46 to 148 golfers today. It’s just an incredible thing to see the three rivals from those three schools (DHS, CMHS and FHS) together and having fun together, and just kidding each other and talking about memories of the past.”

Bamonto, who is also a DHS alumnus, class of ’66, was incredibly pleased with the turnout.

“This was the largest charity event ever I’ve run at Shorewood. … We’ll probably exceed $5000 this year. That’ll be by far our largest in donations,” Bamonto said. “I got to thank all the volunteers … Shorewood has some of the best staff ever. We love being here. It’s just great being here with all our friends from 30, 40, 50 years and they just keep coming back. And they don’t want to leave. We just love being here, so it’s a good thing.”

What is most special about this tournament is not just the time everyone spent out on the linx. For the most part, this tournament was about seeing old friends, rivals and reconnecting after a long time apart. They also honored they’re fellow comrade, Lenny Catalan, at a speech during dinner. The spirit of camaraderie filled the clubhouse and everyone came in to have fun, enjoy each other’s company and give back to the community all at the same time.

“This is a good example for the other generation coming up to continue this event,” Mayor Rosas said. “This event has been growing every year and it looks like it will continue to grow.”

Rosas is right, based on its current trend, it can only be expected that the tournament will be even bigger next year. But for now, everyone is here. And you bet, they’re all going to mark their calendars for next year and pray for no rain.