The 32nd Laurie Bell Memorial Jet Open Charity Golf Tournament and Silent Auction took place on Sunday and Monday, Aug. 7, 8, respectively.
Sunday night’s Kickoff Party and auction were as successful as ever. Big prizes included a golf cart (which went for over $4,500 and was the biggest-grossing item) and a pair of weeklong condo rentals (one in Mexico, one in Colorado). Combining the live and silent auctions, a grand total of 75 items sold at auction, raising thousands of dollars.
On Monday, a total of 56 teams participated in this year’s Jet Open golf tournament. The originally planned shotgun start was set for 7:30 a.m. but was delayed to start at 8:30 on account of early morning rain.
“The rain from the night before created puddles in the sand traps which made the course that much more challenging,” said Vice President of University Advancement J.V. Johnston ’82. “Despite the rain, I believe everyone who had registered showed up.”
“The damp morning opened up into a beautiful day,” Newman University Sports Information Director David Rung said.
Vic Trilli, Director of Athletics and Vice President of Student Affairs, spoke about the event:
“The 32nd Annual Laurie Bell Memorial Jet Open was a huge success for the Newman Athletics Department once again. The Kickoff Party was a hit moving it back to Sunday night, the night before the tournament, and allowed the people who work here at Newman to meet and mingle with the numerous people who support our mission. We had well over 50 teams sign up to play golf, which is phenomenal participation, and after a bit of a slow start due to the weather, it turned out to be a great day. I have to say thank you to everyone who supported our effort this year, everyone who played, sponsored, and helped us to make it one of the best Jet Opens ever.”
Proceeds from the Jet Open are still coming in. However, Rung said, “It seems like it will be one of our healthier returns.”
Scores
The team of Joey Todd, Mark Joliffe, Craig Adams and Cody Robinson, who were sponsored by Weber & Associates, shot a 20-under score of 52 in the scramble event to win the first flight. A pair of teams tied for second at 19-under 53, including the team of Ryan Smith, David Nelson, Sean Purcell and Brice Roberts, who were sponsored by CE Machine, and a foursome sponsored by the Wichita Force.
Other prize winners:
Second Flight
t-1. Dan Giroux, John Rupp, Craig Steven, Zack Steven
t-1. Terry Everson, Scott Post, Mike Horton, Mike Rowe
t-1. John Finn, Pat Finn, Matt Finn, Fr. Daryl Befort
Third Flight
t-1. Buddy Colson, Dave Dai, Larry Dobbs, Jay Horvath
t-1. Fred Liebau, Trey Liebau
t-1. John Vogt, Jamey Findling, Ryan Huschka, Randy Wiggins
Fourth Flight
t-1. Dr. Noreen Carrocci, Vera Robl, Steve Robl, Bob Benson
t-1. Mike Bell, Mark Bell, Gregg Vance, Hunter Vance
3. Tad Patton, Ty Patton, Richard Marrow, Jeff Dahlgren
Individual awards
Women’s Longest Drive – Hanna Hawks
Men’s Longest Drive – Sam Lines
Closest to the Pin – Steve Rorebeck
Longest Putt – Fr. Daryl Befort
Fact: Newman University is the only private college in NCAA Division II in the state of Kansas.
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