Eagle Open nets more than $14,000 for local charities

The day couldn't have been better and the scores showed it in the Marco Island Eagle 33rd Annual Eagle Open golf tournament at Island Country Club on June 3.

A strong short game gave the foursome of Dick Shanahan, Dean Webb, John Khozozian and Allan Cooper the winning scramble score of 59. Just a stroke back were Bob Bullard, Kevin Brown and James Stifler.

Michael Kelly Jr. and Anna Szedelyi recorded the longest drives of the day and Jack Cofer hit the closest-to-the-pin shot on a par 3 hole.

The biggest winners were the Sunrise and Marco Island Rotary clubs, who will share in more than $14,000 raised from the event.

George Abounader, Rotary Club member and principal of Marco Island Charter Middle School, was very pleased with the outcome. His school will receive the Marco Island Rotary Club's share.

"We are very fortunate to be able to use the funds for our next school year for our performing arts program that includes band and chorus," he said.

"It was an outstanding event, with our share benefiting local charities," said Shanahan, Sunrise Rotary Club member.

"The community response was outstanding. There were 80 players and the golf course was in excellent shape," said Tom Wagor, Eagle Open Committee chairman. "There were many nice raffle items, with prizes coming in right up to the final day. Mike DeJordey did a great job as did the food and beverage staff at Island Club."

The event is sponsored annually by the Marco Island Eagle. Each year money goes to local charities and has supported the American Cancer Society and Marco Island Film Festival.

"This is a community that we cherish and are proud to be able to return the goodwill and support we feel from it," said Publisher Cheryl Ferrara.

Committee members included Wagor, Abounader, Ferrara, George Schroll, Debra Sanders, Jerry Gibson, Jim Curran, Bob Blow, Glenn Williams and Chuck Canfield.