The Annual Memorial Day Golf Tournament - 25th Year-

Dedicated to our friend Bill Houser.

I will post this a few times up until Memorial Day.

I help put together a golf tournament every year during Memorial Day that comprises of 28 friends, this is our 25th year doing this (sounds like I'm old!). This tournament started in 1981 with my oldest brother and his 3 buds, Mike Vinson, Billy Marko and Butchie, and it just grew from there. Don't know Butchie's last name but this cat was a beauty, sort of taller, rangier Charles Bronson look-a-like, missing a few teeth, the type of guy you would NOT WANT to mess with, and who just may have been involved in some scrupulous activities, but this guy was a real beauty and a genuine nice guy. Anyway Butchie disappeared about 16-17 years ago, hopefully he'll show up one day.

We all go out of town, either up north or down south on friday before Memorial Day and to play friday afternoon, 36 holes on Saturday, 18 on Sunday and commence our tournament with 18 holes back in Phoenix where we go to one of the guy's homes and have our awards/party ceremony. A blast doesn't even begin to describe this weekend. We have a Ryder Cup format, Individual and 2 Man team events, tons of bets...and a few brews as well!

This year we go to Apache Stronghold in Globe for Friday/Saturday/Sunday and finish up in Phoenix at the Wildfire - Faldo course.

It's amazing how thing's turn out. In February, a few of us were talking about making our tournament some sort of charity event where we would identify a needy family and raise money through a raffle and help out that needy family. It just so happens that one of the original guys, Bill Houser, died in March, and now we are dedicating our tournament to the Houser family. Bill's son, Andy, has been playing for about 7 years, won it in 2001 (he came from 8 shots behind to beat.......yours truly!). I must tell you that Bill and Andy had just a dynamite father/son relationship. Bill's wife, Linda, is an executive here in the valley with the American Cancer Society, all money raised will be directed to the Houser family where Linda said she will direct the money to the American Cancer Society. We are looking to raise $7,000.

One of our buds, Brenyn, is friends with Charles Barkley and former NFL wide receiver Roy Green, and believe it or not, Michael Jordan when he is in town. Brenyn got a few things donated, here's what we have donated to date, raffle tickets are $25 each:

3 Grand Prizes - 3 Full Sets of Custom Fitted Ping Irons
Charles Barkley autographed Phoenix Suns jersey
Roy Green autographed Arizona Cardinals jersey
Golf Foursome @ Camelback GC or Talking Stick
Golf Foursome @ Apache Stronghold
Golf Foursome @ Eagle Mountain GC
Golf Twosome @ Wildfire - Faldo Course
$50 Gift Certificate to Bobby's @ Kierland
$50 Gift Certificate to Frankie's Little Italy
$100 Gift Certificate to Coach & Willy's
Another $100 Gift Certificate to Coach & Willy's
2 Signature Golf Prints by Jan Chandler Garbero
$50 Gift Certificate to Mary Coyle Ice Cream Rest.
4 Hours Free Limo Service
$50 Gift Certificate to McCormick & Schmicks
$100 Service Certificate to Mike Vinson Auto
Harkins Movie Passes

We've got more things coming, winner need not be present to win.

Anyone out there who would like to donate items or buy raffle tickets @ $25 each, send me an email at dfeggen@msn.com or post a comment.

Thanks! Adiós