MARATHON CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENTS BRING OUT THE PROS AND JOES

By
Alex Rickert
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When you can hit the links on a beautiful day in February in the Florida Keys, you do it. 

On Feb. 17, the Florida Keys Country Club hosted a charity tournament presented by Vacation Rentals of the Florida Keys to benefit the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys (CFFK). “It was a very successful event, and money raised will be doubled by CFFK to be handed out to Marathon nonprofits,” said tournament organizer Roger Haines.

Across town on the same day, Porky’s Bayside Mini Golf hosted another contest on a much smaller scale – literally – as teams vied for a championship in a miniature golf tournament to benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys. The putt-putt showdown netted $4,675 for the nonprofit providing truly affordable homeownership for Marathon’s workforce.

From left, Mike Grant, Derrick Lazzarra and Ray Wood claim their third-place trophies in the CFFK tournament. Not pictured: Michael Grant Jr.
Team Coco Nuts takes home a win for the best team name in the mini golf tournament.
From left, Mark Leonard, Ray Morton and Jess Morton accept their second-place trophies at the CFFK tournament. Not pictured: Eddie Worthington.
Team Salty Dogs takes first place at the Habitat mini golf tournament.
A ‘horse’s a**’ trophy was the reward in the CFFK tournament for the ‘Most Fun to Watch’ team of Jake Long, left, Darby Sheehan and MP Coleman-Sayer. Not pictured: Sean Sayer.
The winning squad of Julie Walker, left, David Rodriguez Jr. and Dave Rodriguez claim their trophies at the Florida Keys Country Club. Not pictured: Mike Bell.
A ‘dizzy hole’ requires golfers to spin three times on their putter before attempting a shot at the Habitat for Humanity tournament.
Team Caddyshack Bogies gets ready to hit the links at Porky’s Bayside Mini Golf.
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert
Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.

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