Full Field at Owl Club Tournament Undaunted, Raises Record Amount

TOURNAMENT PHOTOS

WESTFIELD, Mass.  – A full field of 133 golfers came together on Monday afternoon to combine to raise more than $26,000 to support Westfield State University athletics at the 17^th annual Owl Club Golf Tournament at Crestview Country Club in Agawam, Mass.

The weather gods threatened the tournament with some heavy rains early in the day, but the rain passed just before the 12:30 start and players better conditions with just an intermittent shower during the round.

"It was really a tremendous day," said Westfield State Athletic Director Richard Lenfest, Jr. "We had a chance to celebrate the support and leadership we have received from Kevin Queenin as our guest of honor, and our alumni and friends once again came out to truly support Westfield State athletics and our student-athletes."

The low round of the day was a 60, fired by the foursome led by Owls' athletic trainers Cheryl Lee-Scecina and Katie Sylvain '09 partnered with Michelle Lee-Scecina and Deb Taddey, which also won the women's division.

The foursome of women's lacrosse coach Jeff Pechulis, parents Don Cretella and Mike Rozzi, and friend Peter Clark won the open division with a score of 61, winning a match of cards against women's soccer coach Todd Ditmar's foursome.

The group of Russ Hammond '73, Floyd Field '73, Dom Blasioli '74 and Owls Career services director Junior Delgado M'03 won the senior division with a score of 70.

At dinner, Westfield State Athletics honored former board of trustees chairman Kevin Queenin '70, who has also been a longtime member of the board of directors of the Westfield State Foundation, Inc., the fundraising arm of the University.

CEO of Specialty Bolt and Screw, a global fasteners company headquartered in Agawam, Queenin was part of the major gifts team that helped deliver funding for the Access to Excellence Campaign that funded the outfitting and equipment for the Woodward Center Fieldhouse, the home of Westfield State Athletics.

The Owls athletic teams have seen tremendous success since the building was completed in 2004, winning the Smith Cup as the best overall athletics program in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference in 11 of the last 16 years.   In that time, seven different athletics programs have advanced to the NCAA Tournament a total of 28 times, plus dozens of track and field, cross country, and swim and dive athletes have qualified for NCAA Championship meets, plus two individual national champions in track and field.

With grandchildren Jack and Sarah by his side as he spoke, Queenin said "I'm indebted to Westfield State for giving me so much, and over the years I have tried to pay it back, and forward, in any way that I can, or we can as a family … the athletic department has always held a special place in my heart."

"Let's be honest," Queenin quipped.  "Most of my success in life was not due solely to my academic prowess … My education started when I played third base – briefly – for Westfield State baseball and it's really two lessons that stuck with me.  I learned that hard work, and focused practice lead to positive outcomes. On the field then, but it applies to anything you do in life.   Secondly, I learned how to set goals for myself, and for the team – then work like hell to achieve them. I'm not the most athletic guy there is, but knowing where you want to go, and relentlessly working to get there, is more important than natural talent alone."

"I know that those same lessons are being taught to our student athletes today," said Queenin.  "Make no mistake about it – athletics is important."

Queenin also noted that his company has hired students for the last several summers, and that the students he has hired have been "outstanding in our work environment.  If your company has the ability to do that – call Dick Lenfest – a terrific recruiter!"  

The tournament was played for the first time at Crestview Country Club, a challenging course which is the former host site of the LPGA Friendly's open.

Michelle Lee-Scecina won the women's long drive contest, baseball-hockey alumnus Evan Moorhouse '16 won the men's long drive contest.   Coach Pechulis, football alumnus Chris James '10, and former trustee Jim Hagan '84 won the closest to the pin contests.   Jared Carey won the putting contest title.

Queenin encouraged the attendees to continue to stay engaged with Westfield State athletics.  "Your time and your financial support are needed, so that this department can continue to make a positive impact on the lives of Westfield State's student athletes … I look forward to seeing all of you here for years to come."

The tournament was a financial success, raising more than $26,000, all of which goes directly to support the Owls varsity athletic programs, led by lead sponsor Westfield Bank, along with sponsorships from Westfield Gas and Electric, Follett Campus Bookstores among many supporters.

"I know our alumni and friends really value this day to both support our athletic teams, and to reconnect with each other as old friends," said associate director of athletics Dave Caspole, who directs the tournament.  "It was raining cats and dogs in the morning before we teed off, and while we were assured there was window of better weather to get out and play, I had my fingers crossed all morning that it would happen on schedule.    When the carts rolled out on to the course to play, I was so pleasantly surprised that every single group that had registered was there to play.  We have a 15-2 record in this tournament – 15 sunny days and just two that have had some rain, and it is really heartening to see all the support for our student-athletes and how resilient that our alumni athletes can be!"

For more information on the annual event, visit:  https://www.westfieldstateowls.com/owl-club/golf-tournament/index. The tournament is traditionally played the first Monday in August.