September 1, 2010

Priest Appreciation golf tourney draws 100 golfers

COLORADO SPRINGS—The inaugural Catholic Radio Network Priests and Seminarians Appreciation Day drew more than 100 golfers and 150 dinner attendees Aug. 9 at The Broadmoor Country Club and St. Paul Church.

The event’s purpose was to honor priests and seminarians of the state’s three dioceses by providing an opportunity for them to relax and be affirmed by the laity.

A scramble golf tournament took place during the afternoon  at The Broadmoor’s West course and was won by the foursome of Jeff Dombrowski, Brandan Hines, Timothy Stacey and Chris Watson with a score of 61 (11 under par). The longest drive award was given to Tony Giarratano and the closest to the pin award went to an anonymous golfer who listed himself as “Padre Pio.”

Among the golfers were Colorado Springs Bishop Emeritus Richard Hanifen and Denver Auxiliary Bishop James Conley. Bishop Michael Sheridan also attended and rode the course in a cart.

Some of those who didn’t play golf participated in a Texas Hold ‘Em poker tournament, won by Stephen Phelps of St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Colorado Springs.

More than 150 people attended a closing banquet and awards presentation at St. Paul, where priests were individually honored on stage. In addition to honoring the winners in the golf and card tournaments, the 27 priests who attended the dinner also received a new clerical suit, and four seminarians received gift cards.

Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput was among the dinner attendees. Pueblo Bishop Fernando Isern had planned to attend but was called to a meeting in Cuba by the Vatican just prior to the event.