"Ninety percent of the putts that are short, don't go in."  ~ Yogi Berra

Sponsors, Friends of UMass Lowell Shine at River Hawk Golf Classic
Sixth Man Club Announced at Tournament Banquet

Exactly 132 friends and sponsors of UMass Lowell, making up 33 foursomes, took part in the River Hawk Golf Classic presented by , held Monday, June 30 at Sky Meadow Country Club.

Four quartets claimed championships on the day, as well as six individuals in longest drive and closest-to-the-pin contests over six holes participating in the Jet Blue Challenge sponsored by UMass Lowell golf coach Gary Mucica ('71).

As part of the post tournament banquet, the initiation of the Sixth Man Club, spearheaded by members of UML’s 1988 men’s basketball team, was announced. The perpetual fund, kickstarted at $5,000, was created to enhance the UML men’s basketball program.

Several members of the 1988 team, including Leo Parent (Class of 1989, Byfield, MA), Billy Herenda (’88, Sacramento, CA), and Gavin Cummings (’88, Millstone Twp., NJ); UML head coach Greg Herenda (North Andover, MA) and former assistant coach John Paganetti (’84, Burlington, MA) were on hand to announce the fund.

Capturing the Championship Flight was the foursome of Frank Catalano (Andover, MA), Bill Mucica (Tewksbury, MA), Bob Eddy (North Andover, MA) and Bob Heitz (Andover, MA).

Winning the President’s Flight was the foursome representing Triumvirate Environmental of Somerville, MA. Included were Tom Aicardi (North Easton, MA), Peter DeMinico, Rich Lemoine ('96, Tyngsboro, MA) and Kevin Priestly.

Winners of the Chancellor’s Flight was the foursome of Bruce Buckley (Lynnfield, MA), Steve Rich (North Andover, MA), Bruce Perry (Dracut, MA) and John Battaglino (Marlboro, MA), who represented Aramark.

The Director’s Flight was won by John Kuenzler (Lowell, MA), John Gorham (Westford, MA), UML women’s soccer coach Elie Monteiro (Manchester, NH) and UML assistant athletic director Colleen Sorem (Lowell, MA), who were sponsored by Mike Kuenzler’s All Sports Promotions.

Four closest-to-the-pin winners were crowned on the day, led by Karen Scammell (’85, Groton, MA), who came within 6 feet, 1.5 inches on the second hole. Winners on the three other holes included Fred Martell (Hollis, NH) on the sixth hole; UML assistant golf coach John Kennedy (’70, Concord, NH) on the 11th; and UML field hockey coach Shannon Hlebichuk (’98, Nashua, NH) who came with 4’ 1.0’’ on the 17th.  As part of the Jet Blue Challenge, there was a shoot out of the closest to the pin winners and Martell won the JBC trophy.

The UML men and women’s basketball programs were well represented on the longest drive on hole No. 15, led by former UML men’s basketball standout Cummings and UML women’s head coach Kathy O’Neil (Gr. ’99, Nashua, NH).