Shepherd's Cup Charity Golf Classic tees off Oct. 7
September 10, 2013
KINGWOOD — The Galveston-Houston Knights of Columbus Charities will present Daniel Cardinal DiNardo’s sixth annual Sean and Kari Tracey’s Shepherd’s Cup Charity Golf Classic benefiting Catholic education, faith formation and St. Mary’s Seminary on Monday, Oct. 7, at Kingwood Country Club, 1700 Lake Kingwood Trail.
Danny Grant said his favorite part happens just before the shotgun start, which is at noon this year.
“(It’s) the blessing at the start of play,” he said. “I need all the help I can get.”
Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the putting contest will continue through 11:30 a.m. A banquet and awards will follow.
Prizes per course are first, second and third place, longest drive, closest to the pin, hole-in-one and door prizes.
More than 330 golfers participated in the event last year, including Father T.J. Dolce, administrator pro tem at St. Thomas More, who returns every year.
“It is great having a chance to visit people from all over the Archdiocese,” he said. “There are some wonderful people in the Archdiocese who are so supportive of Catholic education. I also enjoy getting to play golf with my friends from seminary. We’ve been playing every year since we were in seminary and it is a great chance for us to visit every year and share fun and fellowship on the golf course.”
Father Dolce’s team also began a new tradition at Shepherd’s Cup to wear “team uniforms” for the event, winning the “Team Spirit Award” last year.
“As a priest, our wardrobe is always selected for us whether it is the clerics or the liturgical color we are supposed to wear for Mass,” he said. “Playing golf is the one chance we get to express ourselves and wear what we want. That is why we are trying to defend our title of ‘Team Spirit Award,’ so be sure to check our team uniforms this year.”
The annual event began in 2008 when Archbishop Emeritus Joseph A. Fiorenza’s annual tournament for St. Mary’s Seminary and then-Archbishop Daniel N. DiNardo’s tournament for Catholic education and faith formation were combined into one event.
Half of the proceeds benefits the seminary and the other half is for Catholic education and faith formation programs.
Sean and Kari Tracey, who were the title sponsors of Archbishop Fiorenza’s event, continue to be the title sponsors of the Shepherd’s Cup.
Sponsorships opportunities are available for everyone, including 54 tee box sponsorships and sponsorships for the play of a priest or seminarian.
Cathy Stephen, principal at St. Rose of Lima Catholic School, said the event is a great way to spend the day with like-minded people who see the importance of supporting all levels of Catholic education, from elementary to the seminary.
“All offer an opportunity for many people to openly practice their faith while being challenged academically, and this speaks to how we become Catholic Christians in the workplace of America,” she said.
Ron F. Riesmeyer, a member of the Order of Malta, said one of his favorite parts of the event is getting to play with his colleagues.
“(I enjoy) playing golf with people who also support Catholic education,” he said. “I play in one of the two teams sponsored by the Order of Malta so I get to know better my fellow members of the order. I also enjoy the food at both the lunch and dinner.”
To become a sponsor, register a team, volunteer or get more information, visit www.shepherdscup.org or call 713-652-4418.