The annual St. Thomas Golf Tournament sold out for the fifth year in a row, bringing together 256 golfers across two 18-hole courses at Champions Golf Club. This year’s tournament was a standout not just for its scale, but for the participation from alumni—186 of the 256 players were St. Thomas graduates. The Class of 2009 boasted an impressive 25 participants and filled six teams.

“The St. Thomas Golf Tournament is always incredible,” Adam Brown (‘87) said. “It never fails to be a highlight of the year. The alumni participation just keeps getting better and better.”

Champions Golf Club hosted the tournament on May 5th, offering pristine course conditions and top-tier hospitality. Renowned golfer and St. Thomas alumnus Jackie Burke (’40) opened Champions with Jimmy Demaret in their hometown. This Cinco de Mayo, the premier golfing venue offered a beautiful course for the alumni golfers to compete.

“They welcomed us in fine style and let us host one of the most successful tournaments in recent memory,” Alumni Director Steve Cummings (‘07) said. “We extend our thanks to Mr. Mike Burke (’73), Ms. Lauren Franeck, and the staff at Champions for the efforts in helping put on this year’s tournament.”

Another key part of this year’s success was the leadership of the dedicated alumni tournament chairmen: Matt Brewer (’00), Chris Dauterive (’00), David Etlinger (’01), and Brian Salazar (’01).

“We also wish to sincerely thank our 36 generous sponsors for their support, including John Rathmell, John Rynd, and the Class of 1975, Mike Burke and the Class of 1973, Bowen, Miclette, & Britt Insurance Agency, LLC, Formers International & John Dominguez III, 1997, and Marek,” Cummings shared.

             

The golfers arrived at the tournament serenaded by a mariachi band, fitting with the Cinco de Mayo date of the event. They quickly got to practicing their putts before heading out on the two courses offered at Champions: Cypress Creek and Jackrabbit. The final winners were announced over a Tex-Mex dinner, with prizes donated by Agazul Tequila, the Class of 1974, Simple Vodka, Matt Malone (’87), and Jason Maida (’89) of Maida’s Belts & Buckles.

The winners were:

On Cypress Creek

1st Gross: Matt Brewer, Chris Dauterive, Brian Salazar, and David Etlinger

1st Net: Alan Patterson, Fundi Mwamba, Kevin Odom, and Dave Brown

On Jackrabbit

1st Gross: Trey McKirahan, Jason Martinez, Jimmy Devlin, and Henry Devlin

1st Net: Steven Love, John Ruiz, Mike Jordan, and Kevin McCauley.

From tee-off to dinner, the tournament celebrated not just the game of golf but the enduring bonds of St. Thomas alumni.