PHILADELPHIA - La Salle alumni, friends, and former basketball players gathered at a sold out North Hills Country Club on June 18 for the 10^th annual Friends of Bill Raftery Golf Outing. Led by co-chairmen Frank Corace '64 and Bill DeMarco '62, the golf outing has raised over $500,000 for the men's basketball program in its short ten years of existence.

"I can't express enough my gratitude and appreciation for Frank Corace, Bill DeMarco, and the entire Friends of Bill Raftery committee for their hard work and dedication to this outing and the men's basketball program,” Dr. John Giannini said, head men's basketball coach. “This outing allows our players to compete at the highest level possible and we appreciate the continued support of all of our alumni, friends, and former players.”

This year's event was sold out and golfers enjoyed an excellent day on the course followed by a dinner and evening program. Corace served as emcee and opened the dinner program, by recognizing the founding members of the Friends of Bill Raftery Golf Outing. Since 2002, the golf outing has served as a tremendous opportunity for alumni, family, and friends to reconnect with one another and the Explorer basketball program. The event has given the athletic department the opportunity to recognize those Lasallians who had a profound impact on the men's basketball program and La Salle University.
 
The committee honored Tony Abbott '63, Frank Corace '64, Bill DeMarco '62, Frank Felice '63, Jim Flavin '65, Paul Gallagher '64, Charles “Obie” O'Brien '60, Bill Raftery '63, Tom White '63, and Stew Tomkins '48, who made the 10th anniversary celebration possible.  Bill Raftery '63 served as the honorary chairman for the 10^th straight year and memorialized original members of the committee who have since passed, Jim Flavin '65 and Paul Gallagher '63.  
 
Other Lasallians recognized by the “Friends of Bill Raftery” Golf Outing Committee in the past include: Jim Phelan '51, Bill Raftery '63, Coach Obie O'Brien, the Greenberg family (Hank '49, Charlie '56, Chip '86 and Kelly '89) Charlie Halpin '46, Jack Reardon '59, and Brother Gerry Molyneaux '58, and Gregory O. Bruce, MBA '81 and Sid MacLeod.

Corace presented the Buck the Bartender Award to basketball alumnus, Friends of Bill Raftery committee member, and La Salle University Board of Trustee member, Greg Webster '81, for his significant contributions to the basketball program.

“Greg has been the missing piece to our golf committee,” Corace said. “With his assistance, the Friends of Bill Raftery Golf Outing has exceeded new heights and corporate sponsorship has become a focal point of our committee, due to the connections Greg has built with the community.”

The award is named after La Salle and Philadelphia basketball legend Bob Vetrone. Vetrone dedicated his career to Philadelphia basketball and is often referred to as the “Godfather of the Big 5.”  

The outing was played in a scramble format.  With a score of 61 (-10), the foursome of Dan Danish, former Explorer player, Greg Danish '11, Gus Rubbo, and Rocky Schoeneberger were the winners. Finishing second on a match of cards with a score of 62 (-9) was the foursome of Mark Molyneaux, Ed Fierko '63, Greg Bruce, MBA '81, and Ron Bruce, while a foursome of former Explorer guards  - Chip Greenberg '86, Greg Webster '81, Kevin Lynam '81, and Pete Tiano '85  - finished in third place.

The date for the 11^th annual golf outing has been set for June 17, 2013, once again at North Hills Country Club. Stay tuned to GoExplorers.com for more information on the 2013 Friends of Bill Raftery Golf Outing.