Annual Mazzie golf outing raises $5k

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By PETE FONTAINE

The 2023 Gary V. Mazzie Memorial Golf Tournament will long be remembered for many things, most notably perhaps, the support from area businesses that led to a near record 90 tee signs.
Likewise, as Jim Hopkins, a former teacher-coach at Johnston High School wanted it known, a big THANK YOU to the 120 golfers who turned out on a windy, damp and sometimes drizzly day.
Hopkins, who was Mazzie’s best friend during his time as a teacher, coach and athletic director at Johnston High School, is a founding father of the storied JHS Athletic Hall of Fame which will benefit from Sunday’s super special tournament which was played at well-manicured Cranston Country Club in Cranston.
Once the 18-hole tourney was complete, Hopkins and the committee were elated because “We raised $5,000 today!”
Proceeds also help the committee present the now prestigious and annual Gary V. Mazzie Memorial Scholarships which this year went to JHS seniors Talia Laflamme and Derek Salvatore.
Golf-wise, Domenic Coletta, Clyde Hopkins, Ken Mason and Steve Ciampanelli won the Men’s Division and overall championship while runners up were Brandon Parillo, Mike Catanzaro and Johnes Tuckons.
The foursome of Eric Gelsomino, Amanda Bizzaco, Liz Kinzer and James Kinzer won the Co-Ed Division championship while the foursome of Ron Lamoureux, Lisa Lamoureux, Bob Plasse and Brenda Plasse were the runners-up.
“Everyone is a winner here today,” many people concurred as they admired the official polo shirts that featured a screened-on logo and were given to all golfers as the official tournament gift.
Meanwhile, long-time committee member Alan McGilvray said prior to the field teeing off: “These shirts are beautiful; Gary would be proud of what’s happening here today.”
Yet another highlight – and new for the tournament – was that the players received a brown bag lunch, bag of potato chips, apple and Snicker’s candy bar that was prepared by Vin Martucci who runs the kitchen at CCC and it goes without saying that everyone loves the famous Pizza Chips that were donated by The Original Italian Bakery in Johnston.
As Hopkins and the committee related, “we also had an MVVG.” Those letters stand for “Most Valuable Volunteer Golfer,” John Graham, who Hopkins said “is the shining star of this tournament. “His tireless dedication and hard work are the reasons behind today’s success.”
Hopkins also announced that the 2023 Class of the Johnston High School Hall of Fame will be announced shortly. It was Mazzie who founded the Hall with the first induction held back in 2011. The late Mazzie lost a battle with lung cancer back on Oct. 1, 2015.

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