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GLENSIDE, Pa. - La Salle alumni, friends, and former basketball players gathered at a sold out North Hills Country Club on June 17 for the 11^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 eleven year stint 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," said Dr. John Giannini, head men's basketball coach. "This outing allows our staff to compete at the highest level possible and without this outing and the support of our alumni and friends; last year's run to the Sweet Sixteen would not have been possible."

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 honoring former La Salle men's and women's basketball coach Speedy Morris. Morris spent 15 seasons as the head men's basketball coach of the Explorers (1986 –2001), compiling a school record 238 wins. His teams reached the postseason six times, including four NCAA appearances, and won four MAAC Championships. His best season came in 1989–90, when he and National Player of the Year Lionel Simmons led La Salle to a 30–2 record and a number-12 ranking in the final Associated Press poll. He also compiled a 43–17 record as La Salle's women's basketball coach, winning the MAAC Championship and reaching the NCAA Tournament in 1986. 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 two Buck the Bartender awards to Tony Abbott '63 and Harry Carpenter '64 for their continued support of the men's basketball program at La Salle. 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 Chip Greenberg '86, Kevin Lynam '81, Jim Lynch '71, and Pete Tiano '85 were the winners. Finishing second was Matt Thornton'04, Mike Thornton '85, Mike Grugan '02, and Ed Johnson '04 and the LaFond family – Mark LaFond '88, Charles LaFond, Dan LaFond '91,and Andy LaFond '86 finished in third place.   

The date for the 12^th annual golf outing has been set for June 16, 2014, once again at North Hills Country Club. Stay tuned to GoExplorers.com for more information on the 2014 Friends of Bill Raftery Golf Outing.