edited by Shannon Rogers
Six Carroll County Lions Clubs came together May 22 for the 25th annual Region IV Zone 3 Golf Tournament, raising money for diabetes research, vision programs and childhood cancer support initiatives.
Hosted at Oakmont Green Golf Course in Hampstead, the tournament honored Past International Director Richard Liebno of Westminster and benefited the American Diabetes Association, the Lions Vision Research Foundation and Abby’s Carts of Courage.
A total of 90 golfers participated in the captain’s choice tournament, which included breakfast, golf, refreshments, prizes and lunch. Since the tournament’s inception, participating Lions clubs have donated more than $202,775 to the Lions Vision Research Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, childhood cancer programs and other Lions initiatives, including hearing preservation efforts.
The Lions Vision Research Foundation supports research and rehabilitation programs aimed at reducing disabilities caused by low vision and blindness through its partnership with the Lions Vision Research and Rehabilitation Center at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.
Abby’s Carts of Courage provides wagons filled with comfort items for children undergoing cancer treatment, helping young patients navigate lengthy hospital stays and medical appointments.
The tournament’s winning team posted a score of 59 and included Denny Bair, Wayne Bair, Steve Bair and Chris Martin. The second-place team, consisting of Jim Covey, Drew Osmeyer, Greg Sweeney and John Evans, finished with a score of 62. Josh Miller, Billy Fritz, Eugene Klemkowski and Louie Silverio placed third with a score of 63.
Josh Messinger won the men’s longest-drive contest, while Patti Andrzejewski claimed the women’s title. Bruce Yingling won the closest-to-the-pin contest on Hole 6, and Mike Meily won closest-to-the-pin honors on Hole 11. Ralph Davis received $112 after winning the putting contest drawing. No golfer recorded a hole-in-one on Hole 15, where a $5,000 prize was offered.
The event received support from numerous local businesses, organizations and individuals. Lions’ Pride sponsors contributing $1,250 included Burger King-Eldersburg, Manekin Construction LLC, Tharco Inc., the Taneytown Lions Club and the Family of Michael Mykulyn. Additional sponsorships were provided by corporate, executive, beverage cart, tee and program sponsors throughout the community.
Tournament committee members included Susan and Martin Bonura, Gary Buchman, Barbara Brimigion, Jim Moore, Bob Garber, Tom Harney, Evan Gillett, Larry Dietz, Mike Mykulyn, Richard Liebno and Ron Kafchinski.
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with approximately 1.4 million members in more than 50,000 clubs serving communities in over 200 countries and geographic areas. The organization supports initiatives focused on vision, diabetes, childhood cancer, hunger relief, disaster response, environmental projects and youth programs.
Organizers have scheduled the 26th annual Lions Golf Tournament for May 28, 2027, at Oakmont Green Golf Course in Hampstead.
