4th Annual Ed Thaete Golf Classic

Tom Linnert, who with his wife Connie arranges all of this.

Fr. John got an award for "low gross" - he doesn't know what that means, but he'll take it as this is the 4th annual golf classic and he has played golf only 4 times in his life . . . do the math.

Jay White demonstrates his style on the tee.

My husband, Mark, on the 9th hole fairway - it was lovely to spend the day together!

The man, the legend - Ed Thaete

Once again, the good folk at St. Joseph's Church in Santa Ana, CA gathered at Willowick Golf Course for the 4th annual Ed Thaete Golf Classic. Gorgeous weather yesterday and really, who wouldn't want to skip a day of work for this?

The origins are this: everyone loves Ed Thaete, our chief sacristan, who is a remarkable man but a very humble one. Not the kind to put his name on anything. Tom Linnert, who is one the sweetest guys in the world, convinced Ed that if this outing was named after him, people would come, and funds would be raised. So please - it's not a "memorial" anything, as Ed was out there on the links yesterday, as he is every Friday (retirement has its benefits).

The golf tournament serves to raise money for church restoration, although this year I understand a portion will be going to our school, as well.

Tradition is that we start after Jay White, one of our parishioners, sings the National Anthem. Jay is developmentally challenged, but I only wish I had a tenth of the heart and love of life that he has!

Listen, there's a lot of things out there in the world that serve to get your blood prssure up and wear you down. Every once in awhile, it's a great thing to get together with quality people and enjoy the goodness of God in each other. This golf day is such a time. If you're in the area next September, join us for the 5th annual classic.