The net profit from this year’s golf tournament was $30,227. This includes the unexpected loss of approximately $3,142 as a result of the postponement. Considering the postponement and the status of the economy, the Post is very pleased with the results.  The Post Executive Committee will determine over the next 12 months how the money raised will be used.   $18,000 in scholarships have already been awarded to local high school seniors from:  Akins, Bowie, Hays and Lehman.

259 individuals, businesses and organizations donated cash and/or goods and services to this year’s charity event.  Golf Committee Chairman Tony Nuccio noted that “in spite of a sluggish economy it is reassuring to know that people/businesses are still willing to sacrifice and contribute to our event and to the projects the Post has committed to support”. 

The Post received $24,490 in cash donations from 64 sponsors – an all time high!  The big reason for this was a combined donation of $8,500 from seven greater Austin area Wal-Mart Supercenters.  Post 326 wishes to expresses its thanks and appreciation to Mr. James Rash the Store Manager of Wal-Mart Store #1253 (Ben White/IH-35) for coordinating and orchestrating this extraordinary and generous effort.  Other major contributors included Swift Energy Company, United Heritage Credit Union, Velocity Credit Union, H-E-B, State Farm Insurance and Senior Care at Onion Creek.   See Sponsors for a complete listing of the 2011 Sponsors/Contributors.

In addition to the cash donations the Post received a total of $47,296 in other than cash donations from 195 individuals and businesses who donated various goods and services which were used for general support, “goodies” bags, prizes and items for the Silent Auction.  The Onion Creek Club as the Host/Presenting Sponsor was a major contributor. 

The Silent Auction which was open to the public, was also a big success with a net profit of $8,284 - an all-time high! 

The Post had to reschedule the event from May 12 to May 26 because of inclement weather (a much needed rain but with no complaints).  This was the first time in the 23-year history of our event this has happened.  It was a major effort in staging two events within two weeks of each other.  Thanks to our dedicated volunteers we prevailed and had a very successful event.

May 12 began with a cloudy but seemingly typical Texas day.  We were fortunate to have YNN on the site in anticipation of the Flyover and we were live on TV promoting the Legion, our event and the Silent Auction.  We had a sense that things would not be going well when we received a call from the CENTEX Wing of the Commemorative Air Force around 7:30 am saying they would have to cancel because of weather.  We proceeded with the opening ceremony and the selection of the $1M Shot Attempt participants.  The $1M Shot Attempt was sponsored by Cowboy Harley-Davidson/Buell of Austin.  The opening ceremony included the presentation of colors by the Hays HS USMC JROTC Color Guard and singing of the National Anthem by the Bowie HS Show Choir Sextet and during the pre-tournament period the players were greeted by bagpiper Doug Slauson.  The breakfast was sponsored by Serrano’s (Southpark Meadows).  Then the rains came and came and we had no choice but to postpone our event. 

We had a preplanned rain date of May 26.  We thought it would be fairly seamless.  It turned out to be a major replanning effort in terms of players and teams.  We started out with a full field of 132 on May 12 but could only manage 120 players on May 26 (primary reason was due to individual schedules and the proximity of the Memorial Day weekend).

As it turned out May 26 was a beautiful day for golf.  We had an abbreviated Opening Ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem again by the Bowie HS Choir Group.  We were unable to get the Hays HS USMC JROTC Color Guard, the bagpiper or the lunch band (Steve and Mary Beth Denton) due to scheduling conflicts.  We continued with the $1M Shot Attempt prior to the shotgun start but there was not a winner.  The players then deployed to their starting holes and the Flyover began on schedule with two (2) T-6 WW II trainers flying over the entire original course signaling start of play.  The timing of the Flyover was very precise and it was an awesome way to start the tournament.

We also had a hole-in-one competition on the five par 3 holes but there were no winners this year.  This event was sponsored again by Maxwell Ford.  In addition we added a Putting Contest which was seamlessly incorporated into the event.  The Putting Contest was sponsored by Howdy Honda.  We also introduced a contest ticket package which provided entry to all skill contests with a number of value-added benefits ($43 value for $20).  It turned out to be very popular.  We had a number of team and individual contests and the winners were awarded their prizes following the luncheon buffet.  Everyone had a fun and enjoyable day. 

Post 326 wishes to thank all the golfers who participated in the tournament, the individuals and the businesses who contributed cash and/or goods and services and the volunteers who gave their time to help make the tournament a huge success. 

The 24th Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for May 10, 2012.  Mark your calendars!

 
T-6 WW II Trainers flown by the CENTEX Wing of the Commemorative Air Force perform a Flyover signaling the start of play (photo by Wendy Marsh)



2011 Winning Team (L-R) Brian Feller, Wade Roberts, Aaron Hawkins, Bill Hensler



 Bowie HS Show Choir Sextet singing the National Anthem



Hays HS USMC JROTC Color Guard present the Colors during the Opening Ceremony



Bagpiper Doug Slauson performs during pre-tournament activities



Founding Post Commander Roy Dalton in pre-tournament interview with YNN reporter Bonnie Gonzalez


 
Silent Auction looking for the ultimate bargain



Golf Tournament participants socializing and enjoying a post-tournament Luncheon Buffet

 

Steve and Mary Beth Denton planned to provide Music and Vocals during the Post-Tournament Social/Buffet



Post 326 hosts 2011 Scholarship Recipients and their families at the June 1, 2011 General Membership Meeting; L-R Post 326 Commander Ken Baucom, Maggie Barron (Bowie), Robert Delgado (Bowie), Amanda Best (Akins), Lorenzo Salazar (Bowie), Abigail Martin (Lehman), Marianna Floto (Bowie), Sana Naiyer (Akins), Gonzalo Diaz (Lehman) and Post 326 Scholarship Chairman Mike Rodriguez [not pictured Isabella Key (Hays), Emily and Katherine Ingram (Bowie) and Tarale Murry (Lehman)]