Reggie Brooks (center) with Kyle Veltri (left) and Erika Whitman (right) checkout the sunglasses donated by Monogram Club Board Member Jennifer Slosar-Smith.

2nd Annual Riehle Open

June 10, 2009

PHOTO GALLERY

Notre Dame, Ind – Each year golfers on the PGA tour compete in four major tournaments, but for members of the Monogram Club there is only one major that matters, the Riehle Open. On June 4th, scores of Monogram Club members were joined by coaches and administrators from the Notre Dame Athletics Department to hit the links at the Warren Golf Course. This year marked the 2nd Annual Riehle Open, named in honor of longtime Executive Director of the Monogram Club Rev. James Riehle C.S.C.

Before teeing off, golfers enjoyed a breakfast while sorting through their complimentary gift bags. A heartfelt thank you to Monogram Club Board Member Jennifer Slosar-Smith (’93 volleyball), who generously provided each golfer with a pair of sunglasses courtesy of her California-based employer, Dioptics.

Once on the course, golfers had an opportunity to compete in a number of friendly contests for the chance to win great prizes. Two of the more enticing prize opportunities occurred at holes five and 14, where golfers gave it their all with the hopes of taking home either a Taylor Made driver or putter, courtesy of adidas.

Following their time on the course, golfers were afforded the opportunity to worship together, and attend a Mass led by Father Joe Carey on the back patio of the clubhouse.

At the conclusion of Mass, golfers returned to the clubhouse for a well-deserved lunch and the awards ceremony. Reggie Brooks, manager of Monogram Club football alumni relations, served as emcee for the awards ceremony and presented all winners with their prizes. Remarks were also offered by Monogram Club President Joe Restic and Director of Athletics Jack Swarbrick.

While former Irish basketball player Ken Wolbeck `79 had the shot of the day at the ninth hole to win the closest to the pin contest, the biggest individual winner of the day was honorary Monogram Club member and current Director of Athletics at the University of Tulsa, Bubba Cunningham `84, who took home two of the three individual prizes.

“I had two or three good shots out there today” Cunningham said, “I was just happy to get out there and play such a beautiful golf course.”

After winners of the individual contest were named, it was time to announce the winning teams for the 2nd Annual Riehle Open. The battle for the championship was tight with only three-strokes separating first through third place.

Finishing in third place with a score of 58 was the three-man team of Jim Seymour ’69 (football), Tom Reynolds ’68 (football) and Bob Jockisch ’68 (football).

Two strokes ahead in second place with a score of 56 was the team of Steve Colnitis ’05 (golf), Associate Athletics Director Mike Karwoski, Cole Isban ’07 (golf) and Tom Hanlon ’49 (golf).

Nudging them out of the lead by one stroke with a score of 55 to take home the 2009 Riehle Open Championship was the team comprised of former Irish golfers Frank Leyes `84, Terry Lally `60, Mike LaFrance `73 and David Moorman `84 .

Even in victory the winning team took time to pay their respects for the man for whom the tournament is named after.

“The big thing for us now is to honor Father Riehle now that he is no longer with us.” Lally said, “I played with him several times in the Monogram Club golf outing and he was a wonderful guy and this is a great memorial for him.”