On Monday, Sept. 13 Corpus Christi CYO held its first annual golf outing at the Douglaston Golf Course.

The weather was beautiful and the skies were high as well as most of the golf scores. However, that did not interfere with what turned out to be a great day. The laughs were plentiful, the smiles quite broad, and the spirits were extremely enthusiastic. Charlie Robando led off the outing with an inspiring prayer. The golfers were then served a continental breakfast since you can't golf on an empty stomach.

The first foursome to hit the fairway was an experienced group from the Knights of Columbus Corpus Christi Council 2502. As they teed off, the less experienced golfers watched intently to try and pick up some quick pointers. Unfortunately, it was admitted it did not help. After a few holes, it was apparent to the birds in the trees that it was in their best interest to find a new nesting spot. However, we did keep the greenkeeper busy as he followed a few of us around replacing the Texas-sized divots.

To the amazement of the SRO crowd of thousands (it was impossible to get an accurate crowd attendance with the ticket scalping that was going on. It was apparently the hottest ticket in town since the Beatles invaded Shea Stadium), there was no winner for the $5,000 hole-in-one contest. However, CYO Vice President Mike Fragiacomo did hit a rather impressive shot onto the green within 12 feet of the hole. The winner of the first annual Corpus Christi Cup was none other than Ken Eccher who shot a very impressive 81. It amazed the crowd that anybody would be able to control the course on a day where the wind was whipping to almost 5 mph and although it was quite sunny on the course, someplace, somewhere there must have been howling wind and rain.

The perfect day was completed with a barbecue on the cascading hills leading to the 19th hole. All golfers were given a bag of accessories to be used to improve their games, not that it was necessary, as it was determined that this had all the makings of a PGA sanctioned event.

The CYO was honored with the presence of Corpus Christi pastor Fr. Jim Bowman, who completed the day with a prayer of thanks; former CYO moderator, now pastor of Holy Family in Hicksville, Monsignor Bob Batule; current moderator and mentor Deacon John Reinhart, as well as Bob Pfeiffer and a few guys who had coached at Corpus Christi CYO in the '60s. The CYO program would like to thank all participants for a great time as well as a successful day.

A special thanks to Sean O'Conner, Corpus Christi clinic coach, for chairing this event as well as accruing the gifts and prizes.

The Corpus Christi board and coaches would like to thank the following individuals and companies for their donations and sponsoring a hole:

J.W. Becker Florist

Knights of Columbus Corpus Christi Council 2502

Vessa & Wilensky P.C.

Gallagher, Walker, Bianco & Plastaras, Esqs.

Tom Renker, Esq.

Russell Brown

Weico Wire & Cable, Inc.

Cuginis Pizza & Restaurant

St. James Restaurant

Dan and Eileen Browne

The Bongiorno Law Firm, PLLC

National Surveillance & Security

McKeon Brothers, LLC

Fraternal Order of Police Surgeons Lodge No. 3

Gerald Entee, president

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Maher

Hon. And Mrs. John O'Shea

Frank Kapela, Inc.

Law Office of Donald Hazelton

Manhattan Beer Company

McKenzie River Beer Company

Mineola American