Neither wind nor rain can stop Jesuit, or at least that’s what it seemed like at the 2013 Jesuit Magis Golf Tournament. Held at Stonebriar Country Club every year since its inception, the tournament hosts over 200 people, ranging from Jesuit alumni to the golf ball firing robot of the robotics club. The tournament, a relatively new Jesuit tradition, began four years ago as a way to raise revenue for the school. Additionally, the tournament allows Jesuit to connect with alumni and show them that Jesuit still maintains the traditions they had when they were at school.
Founded four years ago, the tournament has become a staple in the Jesuit calendar, attracting over 200 golfers and alumni each year. Tournament staff coordinator, Vice President of Advancement and swimming coach BJ Antes spoke about the history of the tournament and what it does to help Jesuit. “The tournament,” he said “[made] roughly $220,000” in its first year. The tournament revenue peaked at roughly $250,000, quite an impressive number for a school fundraiser. The funds from the tournament all go towards the school, with “65 % of the proceeds [going] to endowment and tuition, 25% goes to athletics and athletic needs, and 10% to alumni services.” These proceeds show just how much the tournament means to Jesuit and the role it plays in the average student’s life.
Planning the tournament is a “year long preparation,” says tournament organizer Jessica Harbin. Plans start in January for the October tournament, sometimes filling up in June, which “gives you an idea of how popular it is.”
Jessica and the rest of the Jesuit Development staff work all the way up to the day of the tournament, making sure that everything will go smoothly. Once the tournament starts, she is out on the course, overseeing operations and making sure it is going according to the plan. The adult volunteer staff, however, extends even beyond Ms. Harbin.
Pat Sayers and Joanie Stephenson, co-chairs for the adults, helped organize all the adult volunteers on the day of the tournament. Even Ranger football announcer John Schmeltz made an appearance, helping out in ways besides giving a play-by-play. Even after it ends, Jessica and the rest of the staff are “sending out thank you cards and planning for next year,” showing how much really goes on at Jesuit besides academics and all the work the staff put in to the entire process.
The tournament itself, a day long undertaking, starts in the morning and heads all the way into the evening. The day starts out with a putting contest, getting the golfers warmed up before actually hitting on the course, and allowing the student volunteers time to arrive at the course.
Then, the golfers move into teams of four to continue with the rest of the day. In these foursomes, the golfers then move on to the actual courses and play holes in a Florida Scramble format, where each person hits, and then they all play from the best shot. Playing in this format, players play for approximately 5-6 hours, on either one of the two courses at Stonebriar.
After the regular golf play, the players all move to one hole to have a driving competition to see who can get the ball closest to the pin. Lastly, the golfers convene for dinner, closing the tournament.
Rain was an unexpected factor for the tournament this year. Jessica Harbin, made sure that a little inclement weather wasn’t going to ruin the day. Ponchos were promptly handed out to student and staff volunteers alike, and all golf carts were fitted with rain gear to ensure players clubs were not damaged by the rain. Some golfers could be heard grumbling and blaming shots on wet fairways, but for the most part, spirits were not dampened by the rain.
The Jesuit student volunteers, after attending first period, all packed onto a bus and make the trip to Stonebriar, arriving at about 10 a.m. The students were treated to a box lunch when they first arrived. Sandwiches and water kept their energy and spirit up. Mr. Jack Fitzsimmons, Senior Councilor and student organizer, gave the students the proper gear for the course as well as instructions on proper etiquette and what to do on the course. Students, in pairs of two, helped retrieve balls and, if they were golf savvy enough, gave their opinions on which club to use.
However, Jesuit students were not the only ones there; professional candies were hired by some groups to help retrieve balls, giving students a much needed respite from the rain. Once the students finished their tenure on the course, they were whisked back to Jesuit on the bus and treated to pizza. For the students, it was more than just five hours of running around a golf course with free pizza at the end. It was a chance to interact with former Jesuit students of all ages, giving them an idea of the diverse network of alumni Jesuit has and the effect Ignatian ideals have on a Jesuit student later in life.
Everything said and done, the tournament was a success. Not even rain could ruin the new and prosperous Jesuit tradition.
