The 17th annual Kenny Classic won't be remembered for any one specific event, but it truly was one of the best overall Classics since the tournament's inception back in 1994. After the downturn of 2009 - proof that global economic strife can impact even the smallest of charitable operations - the KC playing field grew by six foursomes, and tournament sponsors increased as well. Many very supportive companies and individuals gave generously to the Classic's prize vault, creating what many believe to be the most bountiful Silent Auction and SuperRaffle display in KC history. Now, stir in the Classic's fantastic team of volunteers, the Hampden CC's talented food service staff and a stellar cloud-free early summer day (82 F), and you have all the makings for an outstanding day of golf and fun! And so, on June 25, 2010, a talented and personable field of 128 golfers enjoyed the challenge of Hampden CC's layout, and the scoring was outstanding. In all, 26 of the 32 teams shot par (72) or better, with 17 teams posting sub-70 rounds! Overall, the scoring average was the lowest the KC has seen in its four years at Hampden. Click here to see the 2010 KC Leaderboard. In the end, it was an intense battle between two heavyweight KC teams to decide 2010 Low Gross, and when the dust had settled, the team of Dennis Booska, Brodie Conant, KC Findley, and Bob Provost, and the team of John DiGregorio, Tony Carra, Gordie Forsberg, and Lan Goodwin had each equalled the Kenny Classic record for low round at Hampden with Geiberger-esque -13 59's! After an extensive card match, the 2010 Low Gross title went to Team Goodwin. It was the third Championship for a Lan-led team - he won KC II in 1995 when it was a stroke play event, and took a different team to the top of KC XII in 2005. The former chairman of the Barton Center Board of Directors has had his teams in the Top 3 in five of the last six Classics. The second place finish for Bob Provost's team marked their fifth consecutive Top 3 placement. They won three straight Classics from 2006 - 2008. Surprising the KC handicappers with a third-place finish at -9 63 was the team of Patti Ebbert, Duane Ebbert, Brian Ebbert, and Chris Kenny. The cousins of Tim and Chris's Mom, Judy Kenny, the Ebberts packed plenty of game in their luggage when they left their homes in California and Illinois! It was the first Classic for Patti and Duane, and just the third for Brian, who was making his first appearance in the Top 3. Chris hadn't seen the Top 3 since the event was stroke play 15 years ago! With Team Ebbert also finishing Second Low Net (52), the Third Low Gross prize went to another legendary KC team - Mike Johnson, Mike Kuchieski, Dave Marquis, and Vin Melendez, as they won a card match at -7 65. They won back-to-back titles in KC's VIII and IX, and have finished in the Top 3 six times. Despite some stunning neon-orange team polos, emblazoned with the Kenny Classic logo and the bravado creed of "Ready To Defend," the 2009 Championship Team of Dan Akey, Mike Duclos, George Oulundsen and Caleb Ritter fell short in their repeat attempt, finishing six strokes off the pace with a very respectable -7 65. Low Net honors went to the team of Mark Fitzpatrick, Mike Greco, Kevin McLoughlin, and Jeff Whyte with a Hampden record net score of 49. Third Low Net was earned by the team of John Landers, Brent Towle, Randy Towle, and Gene Wilde,with their score of 53. Carol Skorulski was a double winner on the prize holes this year, capturing the Closest to the Pin Contest on #12 with a distance of 4'4" and the Women's Longest Drive on #8. Duane Ebbert captured the lucrative 50/50 prize Closest to the Pin Contest on #15 with a shot that stopped just 12 inches from the hole! At the awards ceremony, he made the grand and generous gesture of donating the $300 prize back to the Classic's fundraising efforts. Thank you, Duane! The Men's Longest Drive on #8 went to Lee Craig for the second straight year. The post-tournament party hosted by the fine food service staff of Hampden CC on the club's extensive patio overlooking the course was a great time. Thanks to the generosity of the participants and the many friends and sponsors of the KC, the Super Raffle prize table was incredibly stocked with close to 75 gift packages, ranging in value from $75 to over $300, and many folks walked away with nice raffle prizes. The silent auction was well-stocked, too, with many fine items up for bidding, including wonderful golf weekends at The Samoset Resort, Wentworth-By-The-Sea, and The Sagamore Resort, weekend getaway to Burlington, Vermont, a family fun weekend in Springfield, Mass., box seats for four for a Red Sox game, great baseball and football autographed sports collectibles, and much more! Thanks to all of you, we had a great time, and the event raised $14,000 for the Robert J. Kenny Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Clara Barton Camp! Over the 17 years of its existence, the KC participants and sponsors have raised close to $200,000 to help kids with diabetes. To all of you who were there - whether it was your first or your 17th time at the KC - WE THANK YOU! Please spend some time at this website, checking out the photos of KC 2010 as well as those of years past, the KC's wonderful Sponsors, Friends, and Volunteers, and the Classic's Hall of Fame which features an All-Time Kenny Classic Players Directory. Leave us feedback in the Guest Book - we check it! Bookmark the site, and come back often! Hope to see you all for the 18th Annual Kenny Classic on June 24, 2011! |
