Green on Greens: Community displays generosity in memorial golf tournament

While COVID-19 has put brakes on much of society’s activities, it didn’t slow down the financial support of participants in the fourth annual Bennett Boyles Memorial Golf Tournament at the Whidbey Golf Club Saturday, Sept. 19.

Event organizers Penn Cove Brewing Company received $15,000 through player fees, sponsorships and donations, an increase of $6,000 from last year’s tournament.

The proceeds will provide scholarships to members of Boyles’ Coupeville High School graduating class of 2022 through the Community Foundation for Coupeville Public Schools and provide support for patients and families through the WhidbeyHealth Foundation’s Pediatric Rehabilitation Services.

The tournament was originally founded by the Penn Cove Brewing Company to support Boyles and his family when the Coupeville athlete was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer while in middle school.

“Penn Cove Brewing Company and all the volunteers worked so hard to make this event happen this year, despite the rough times we are in,” Boyles’ mother, Lucienne Rivera, said. “I am forever grateful. It was incredible to see all the love and support again this year. Our community is amazing. To everyone who sponsored, played, donated and volunteered, thank you for honoring Bennett and making a difference in our community.”

The field of 84 players, six more than in 2019, was led by the team of Todd Melnick, Robert Tercero, Lucas Horrobin and Jeremy Amundson. The foursome easily won the event with a 54, seven strokes better than the runners-up.

Tying for second at 61 were the teams of Jeff Stoner, Chase Simpson, Chris Fahey and Marc Lindley; and Mitch Aparicio, Marc Aparicio, Tim Kellner and Josh Pots.

The Aparicio brothers own Penn Cove Brewing Company.

One stroke back at 62 were the teams of Dan Phillips, Kerry Ard, Ryan White and Chris Hundley; and Brenden Hansen, Curtis Ashby, Stephen Davey and Alex Price.

“Highlight of the tournament was when Jackie Saia stepped up and sunk a 75-foot putt to win the putting contest with moments to go before the shotgun start,” Mitch Aparicio said. “Jackie really lit it up by slam-dunking that putt. Everyone went crazy and it really set the tone early on for a fun day of golf, despite the social distancing requirements.”

Dave Phay, head pro at Whidbey Golf Club, said the weather and smoke cooperated, leading to a “great turnout,” even though most athletic events have been canceled this fall because of the pandemic.

Helping make the event a success was the generosity of its sponsors.

The tournament’s diamond, or primary, sponsor, was Whidbey Island Business Consulting, LLC, which sponsored the putting contest.

Platinum sponsors were Penn Cove Brewing Company (long drive contest sponsor), Cascade Custom Homes (long drive contest sponsor) and Ron Telles.

Gold sponsors were Windermere Real Estate (closest to pin contest sponsor), China City, Greenbank Cider Company, Windermere Property Management and Benito (Papa) Rivera.

Silver and hole sponsors were Penn Cove Taproom, WhidbeyHealth Foundation, Seaside Spa and Salon, McPherson & McPherson Law, Whidbey Weekly and Printing, Porter Whidbey Insurance, Humphry’s Sign Company, Salon Blue, Ciao, Whidbey Golf Club and Terra Firma Wealth Management.

Prizes for the raffle were donated by Penn Cove Brewing Company, Whidbey Golf Club, China City, Callen’s Restaurant, Front Street Grill, Vail Wine Shop, Seaside Spa & Salon, Prima Bistro, Cozy’s Roadhouse, Tyee Restaurant, Pizza Factory Coupeville, Frasers Gourmet Hideaway, Orlando’s Bar + Southern BBQ, Union Tavern, Madrona Blossom, Ebey Academy, Willow & Wood and Wicked Teuton.

The raffle raised nearly $3,000; it netted $900 in 2019.

Other Results

Closest to Hole

No. 2: Todd Melnick, 9’11”; No. 7: Brenden Hansen, 6’2”; No. 13: Shawn Blouin, 3’8”; No. 17: John Fish, 11’8”.

Longest Drive

No. 1, men: Todd Melnick; No. 1, women: Marcia Reyes; No. 18, men: Lucas Horrobin; No. 18, women: Marcia Reyes.