March 19, 2024

More than 120 golfers listened attentively to the invocation given by Fr. Lydio Tomasi before the start of the recent 39th annual Italian American Open at the Norbeck Country Club.

“Grant the golfers the serenity to accept the shots they miss and the courage to try, try again,” he prayed. Whether or not the prayer helped the golfers with their game is unclear. But the event was clearly another huge success, raising $32,000 to benefit Casa Italiana and the Lido Civic Club Scholarship Fund. And the weather was magnificent.

Italian-American pride and American patriotism were on display, evidenced by the ovation that attendees gave the 8 Wounded Warriors who participated in the event as honored guests.  In the end, a foursome led by Holy Rosary parishioner Joe Della Ratta won the event.

Phil Finelli, the Lido Club President, praised all the event’s volunteers and thanked the corporate sponsors that made the event so successful. He stated, “The players already are looking forward to the event next year — this outing has become a venue for networking with business owners.  If you want to do business with Italian Americans you need to attend this event.”