GIRARD, Kan. — Golfers teed it up with a little extra meaning at Girard Municipal Golf Course on Friday as the Fallen Trojans memorial organization hosted its annual tournament.
This was the 18th year for the tournament, which honors deceased Girard High School graduates and supports graduating students.
The organization began with a small donation drive, but now helps fund scholarships and projects such as the scoreboard at Frank Jameson Field or golf bags for the golf team.
“Bob Zettl, and a guy named John Slavins, class of 1963, they used to come down here and play for an alumni golf tournament,” said Fallen Trojans member Roger McCracken. “... They were sitting around (talking), and decided ‘We might as well pass out a coffee can to see if we can raise money for scholarships.’”
The clubhouse at Girard Municipal Golf Course lists a maximum occupancy of 116. However, Friday’s attendance almost tripled that number.
“This is amazing from what we started,” added Zettl. “... Just amazing.”
As part of the annual tournament, members of the Fallen Trojans bring up numerous already graduated Girard High School students to speak about which school they are attending and what field they plan to pursue. Scholarship recipients at this year’s tournament were Jocelyn Goff, Maddie Coester, Megan Bennett, Maggie Niggemann, Erica Boatman, Seth Wilson, and Shelby Finley.
Schools that the students plan to attend include Pittsburg State University, Kansas State University, Johnson County Community College, and Neosho County Community College.
The event then moved onto the honoring of fallen alumni. Currently, there are 88 names on the plaques, honoring coaches, administrators, and students. This year’s honorees were Joe J. Nepote (1959), Gary “Moot” Johnson (1960), James Townsend (1960), Ron Westhoff (1971), and Kathy Pyle Meilahn (1978).
One by one, friends and family of the honored alumni took the microphone and spoke about each of the honorees, sharing personal stories that drew many laughs within the humid, packed clubhouse.
Following the Fallen Trojan Memorial Golf Tournament, on Saturday, June 20, Girard Municipal Golf Course is set to hold the annual Craig Crespino Memorial Golf Tournament, honoring Coach Crespino who tragically died in 2006, a longtime coach, mentor, educator, and friend to many.
All of the proceeds from the Craig Crespino Memorial Golf Tournament are to go to either scholarships or USD 248 athletics.
This reporting is made possible, in part, by the Support Local Journalism Project Fund. Learn more at: southeastkansas.org/Localnews.
