The Golfing “fore” Gunston II fundraiser on Monday, May 3 at the Prospect Bay Country Club in Grasonville welcomed 90 golfers and two tennis players, including Gunston alumni, parents, past parents, and community supporters. A 9 a.m. shotgun start began the day, with teams competing for prizes while enjoying food, drinks and fun give-aways, while our tennis players enjoyed a game with a professional followed by lunch.

The day’s winners include: First Place with a gross score of 57, Mark Seaman, P’19 ’22, Carl Seaman, David Duda, and Joe Deluzio, with a prize of Under Armour jackets, gift certificates to Prospect Bay’s pro shop, and plaques. The winner of the Longest Drive was Casey Grieves, (347′), with a prize of a Yeti Panga 50 duffle bag filled with Gunston swag and a Dick’s Sporting Goods gift certificate; Closest to the Pin winner was Rich Biondi (10′11″), with a prize of a Bat-Caddy X3R remote control cart and with a final gross score of 86, and Last Place Winners were Torrey Pocock, Mark McVckeer, Byan Krandle and Justin Pacheco, with a prize of brand new tennis rackets and gift certificates to the pro shop.

“This is a phenomenal turnout for a second golf event in one year, which by the way we wouldn’t normally do, however, without our signature fundraising event, the Bull Roast, we needed to incorporate another opportunity that was safe and outdoors to help us bridge that $4,000 gap between what tuition costs, and what it actually costs to deliver the Gunston experience,” said Gunston’s Head of School John Lewis. “With most attendees being fully vaccinated and the restrictions lifted on outdoor mask requirements, it almost felt like a normal day!”

He continued,” We are truly, truly beyond grateful for all of the parent volunteers here today, and actually not just today, we are grateful for the help and support they’ve provided all year, whether it’s helping with the golf event, helping us to secure auction items, covering homework tents, there’s just so much they have done for Gunston this year, so thank you.” 

Prospect Bay’s Head Golf Pro, Ash Sanania commented “It was our pleasure to host such a wonderful event and I cannot say enough about you, your staff, all of the volunteers and the Gunston School. I am looking forward to hosting next year’s event!”

Additionally, a concurrently running online silent auction, the Gunston Biddersnest, offered items such as professional photography sessions, a Gunston Watershed Experience, a weekend getaway, original artwork by Ben Dize (a retiring and much beloved Gunston faculty member), dinner package, and more. “Speaking personally, this has been the most challenging year I’ve ever experienced as a school leader, but I continue to be inspired by the ways we’ve pulled together, and today is proof positive of that community effort,” added Lewis. 

Together, the golf tournament and the auction raised about $30,000, all which goes directly to the Heron Annual Fund, which allows Gunston the ability to offer more than 60% of its students financial aid, provide additional enrichment and hands-on opportunities that extend beyond the classroom for both students and faculty, and perhaps most importantly, help to defray the unexpected costs of PPE, tents, new video technology, and more. 

The event had 36 sponsors: Tournament sponsors included Riggo Productions (The Pocock Family, P’23), Fred Frederick of Easton (Janell & Jeffrey Frederick, P’23 ’25), and What’s Up? Media.

Grill Station Sponsor: Foundation for Tomorrow (Nicole Wagner, P’23). 

Awards Sponsors: Gunther McClary Real Estate (Chris & Ellen McClary, P’21 ’23), DataLink Interactive, and Astech Security (The Miller Family, P’15).

Contest Sponsors: KRM Construction, The Riddle Family (P’21),  Callahan’s Gas & Appliance (Mark & Dana Callahan, P’22), and  Jack & Jill Meyerhoff, P’11 ’13. 

Refreshment Sponsors: Shore United Bank, John & Dr. Laurie Lewis, Delaware Podiatric Medicine (Jake & Rebecca Hanlon, P’22), The De Leon Family, P’22, Dogwood Acres Pet Retreat (Audrey and Kurt Reichardt, P’21), and Griswold Travel (Emily Larkin, P’24).

Hole Sponsors: The Hansen Family, P’23, the YMCA of the Chesapeake, Kristy & Jon Myers, P’21 ’24, The Holmes Family, P’20 ’22, The Shifrin Family, P’21, Tine Dickey P’24, The Algier Family, P’23, Connie Loveland, Realtor-Benson and Mangold Real Estate, Atlantic Cruising Yachts (Christian & Dawn Bent, P’25), Mark & Diane Freestate, P’98, Jill & John Caron, P’17, The Ceruolo Family, P’23, The Sanderson Family, P’22 ’23, Dane & Mary Ways, P’18 Long & Foster Real Estate, Reliable Pest Control, McHale Landscape Design, Serino Orthodontics, and Kent School.

A special thanks to G&G Distributors of Centreville, for providing drinks and refreshments.

Gunston Biddersnest Auction Donors: Micelle Hallmark Photography, Hartcorn Studios, Wylder Hotel, Tilghman Island, Ben Dize, Links at Perry Cabin, Prospect Bay, and Serino Orthodontics.