The late John Ferrara was honored once more by his friends in the local golf community. A revised tournament format proved successful with proceeds going to the St. Peter's High SchoolTuition Assistance Program.
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The fifth annual John Ferrara Memorial Golf event took place at the Silver Lake Golf Course Monday and drew a field of 80 players.
For many years the Staten Island Golf Association sponsored an annual scramble tournament on Labor Day at one of Staten Island's public golf courses that drew players from all local clubs and teams were picked at a meeting at LaTourette prior to the event.
In April of 2010, John Ferrara, 58, was killed in an auto accident in Rocky Mount, N.C. Ferrara was not only an outstanding golfer, but played a major role in the Staten Island Golf Association as well as the promotion of golf on Staten Island including junior golf.
In 2010, the SIGA voted to replace the Labor Day Scramble with an event in memory of John Ferrara whereas the proceeds of the event would be donated to a scholarship fund for St. Peter's Boys High School which was Ferrara's alma mater.
The 2014 tournament was changed in several ways. The title was changed to the John Ferrara Memorial Shamble and the format was switched from Scramble to Shamble and played as a net event. The Shamble differs since two scores from each foursome is counted rather than just a single best ball score. Proceeds of the event will now be forwarded to a needy St. Peter's H.S. Tuition Assistance program.
The field of the current tournament included players from all clubs on Staten Island as well as Dyker Beach and Marine Park golf courses.
The winning team at 19-under-par (51) was composed of Bart Battista, Vin Plover, Rich Wismer and Joe Termini.
There was a three-way tie for second place at 16-under-par (54) and when it was all broken down via match of cards it was the team of Vic Stora, Steve Stora, Mike Merrill and Brian Buchrieser placed second. The quartet of Dan Pizzuto, Jim Fareri, Bob Ronne and Phil Ebner took third-place honors over the team of Matt Zuntag, Steve Zuntag, Mike Gass and George Dougherty.
Closest to the pin honors went to Rod Stilwell at the sixth hole and to Steve Socci at the 11th.