On Friday, July 27th, Gryphon Football hosted the annual Friends of Gryphon Football (FOGF) Golf Tournament. This tournament is an opportunity for Gryphon community members to get together with friends, old and new, for a great day of golf, with the ultimate goal of providing some financial support to the program. This year, there were 120 attendees, who consisted of alumni, current players, parents of the players and friends of the program. Nearly 50% of all attendees were Friends of Gryphon Football Membership benefit redemptions. The membership has only just started it’s second year and already, the alumni and friends who have bought memberships are cashing in on the rewards. Interestingly, the golf tournament was started in the late 90s by Gryphon Football its success has grown every year.
This year, the weather was absolutely beautiful which made the event even more successful. Golfers were able to enjoy 18 holes of golf, lunch, dinner, and great times with friends at the Guelph Lakes Golf and Country Club. Some of the playing alumni in attendance included: Bill Laidlaw, who is the president of Parkelaw Inc., a prospering consulting firm in Burlington, Mark Brown, former 1st Round Pick for the Argonauts, Justin Dunk, CFL Analyst and current CHCH Sports Anchor and a coaching alumnus was: Stu Lang, 5-time Grey Cup winner and former Head Coach of the Gryphons. The Golf Tournament is always a great way to meet and interact with fascinating alumni members.
Another alumnus caught people’s attention when he brought in free samples of beer for all attendees. This alumnus is Gerrit Stam, who is the current Vice-President at Barnstormer Brewing and Distilling Company. With him, Gerrit brought 4 beers for sampling: Flight Delay IPA, First Class Craft Lager, 400 Blonde Ale and Windshear Watermelon Summer Ale. To learn more about these beers, click here.
There were also 12 current coaches in attendance: Head Coach Todd Galloway, Offensive Coordinator JF Joncas, Defensive Coordinator Adam Grandy, Special Teams Coordinator Alex Derma, Defensive Line Coach Brian Cluff, Director of Football Operations Mike Aloisio, Running Backs Coach Steve Viveiros, Linebackers Coach Nate Galoni, Assistant Special Forces Coach John Casasanta, Assistant Defensive Backs Coach Mark Durigon, Director of Football Advancement Bill Brown and Equipment Manager Frank Tersigni. Furthermore, the team’s doctor, Patti Galvin was also in attendance.
There were also several tournament attendees from the University of Guelph Department of Athletics. These included: Director of Athletics Scott McRoberts, Intercollegiate Manager Angela Orton, Assistant Manager of Intercollegiate Programs Wally Gabler, Media Relations, Communications and Sports Information Officer Andy Baechler, and Senior Development Manager for Athletics and Student Affairs Chris Moulton.
Naturally, the event would not have been as successful if it were not for those who put in the time and effort to plan and orchestrate it. Therefore, large thanks are in order for the event’s organizer, Jen Green (U of G), the Friends of Gryphon Football Board, the Parents of Players group, and Members and Football Advancement Team. Moreover, an additional thanks goes to the Gryphon Football players who volunteered their time for the Tournament: Defensive End Carter Wilson, Linebackers Anthony Hall, Running Back Kwame Osei, Defensive Lineman Lukas Brennan, Quarterback Theo Landers and Running Back Patrick Pierre.
The FOGF Golf Tournament also had some very interesting contests which attendees really loved!
Hole Contest & Winner
Hole 2-Closest to the Keg: William Power
Hole 5-Longest Drive (Ladies): Jessica Zerafa
Hole 7-Beat the Player: DRAW
Hole 10-Closest to the Pin: Aaron Haid
Hole 12-Closest to the Gryph: Matt Richardson
Hole 13-Longest Drive (Mens): Chuck Sims
Hole 14-Closest to the Football: Dan Millar
Hole 17-Beat the Pro: DRAW
Hole 18-Closest to the Helmet: Rick Apostolopoulos
Putting Contest: Todd Dedcharme
Most Honest Foursome: Randy Lewis, Sam Lewis, Norm Shogilev, Mary Shogilev
Winners: Justin Dunk, Matt Richardson, Mike Millar, Dan Le Gresley
Some of the prizes included: Wellington Brewery baskets, beauty baskets, Gold TiCat tickets, TiCat jerseys, a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, Royal City Brewery basket, a Gryphon fire pit, Club Seats tickets to the Argonauts, a 42" RCA Flat Screen, Gryphon Pack & Jays tickets, and many more!
A big thanks is also in order for all of the event’s sponsors who helped to make it a success. The sponsors were as follows: M CON Pipe & Products Inc., Northern Productions Inc., McAuslan Brewing Inc., Steelcase, Parents of Players Group, Building Blocks, Korol Contracting, Benefit Partners, Scutt Signs, Peak Powersports, and Everything Automotive by Houghton.
Want to see photos from the event? Check them out here!