This was the hole-in-one prize, courtesy of Lou Bachrodt Mazda, Coconut Creek. SWAT crew not included!
Golf Great Nick Price demonstrates his techniques during a swing clinic
Our inaugural VIM SWAT Invitational Golf Tournament at Sailfish Point Golf Club was a great success with over 80 golfers vying for cash prizes, live auction items, and the chance to take home a red-hot Mazda Miata convertible by hitting a hole-in-one. Click on the Picasa icon next to the YouTube button for the photos. Among the highlights was a swing clinic by golf great, the gracious Nick Price. Many thanks to our donors, hole sponsors, the wonderful golfers and of course our dear friends, Rick Wentworth and Richard Van Woert, who organized this event.
Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres after a great day on the course!
In addition to the car provided by Lou Bachrodt Mazda, Coconut Creek, a major highlight was a swing clinic conducted by Nick Price, former No. 1 player in the world, and 2003 inductee into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
The winners shot a combined 61 on the par 72 course. Congratulations gentlemen!
Golf magician Kevin Dawson, the “Jolly Jester,” flew in from Atlanta to wow the players with his sleight-of-hand and card tricks. Dawson is a 1.5 handicap player himself, and has entertained at golf tournaments around the world.
He had some competition on the comedy front from fellow player Bob Erickson whose hilarious auctioneering kept the bidding going for the exclusive Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania and Muirfield Village in Ohio. Other auction items included a foursome at McArthur Golf Club in Martin County, and a golf fitness package donated by Diversified Therapeutics of Stuart.
Calvin Jackson of Diversified Therapeutics and Sailfish Golf Pro Victor Tortorici
The SWAT format is known for its better-ball-per-hole format, with no handicap. Teams included four players and one pro. The top five teams split cash prizes and the pros competed in a separate prize pool. The team with the lowest score won $1,000 worth of golf lessons from Craig Harmon, a famous teaching pro.
The top team of Christopher Ellis, Patrick Thomas, Alden Blake and Herman Walker shot a 61 on the par 72 course. Pros Ryan Keeney and Kyle Willman were tied at 70.
“Everyone who supported our first golf tournament is a hero,” Fields said. “I’m just so thrilled that this SWAT was such a success and I really look forward to doing it again next year.”
Kevin Dawson, the Jolly Jester, wows the crowd with his magic tricks
SWAT co-chairs Rick Wentworth & Richard Van Woert, Sailfish pro Victor Tortorici, golf great Nick Price, VIM administrative assistant Christina Boder, VIM executive director Mary Fields.
Bob Erickson, Auctioneer Extraordinaire, works his magic!
Teammates Kevin Dawson and Pete Panchura make a water stop