Catholic Church Golf Tournament Raises Money For School's Needs

In one week St. Raphael's Catholic Church will hold its second annual golf tournament as a way to remember the church's former priest who passed away more than a year ago and to raise funds for their developing school.

The Father Bill Finch Memorial Golf Classic will take place at the Manor Country Club on Oct. 25 and will raise money for St. Raphael's new educational building, which will include classrooms for the school, a parish library and a meeting room.

"The educational building is an extension of our church, not only there to serve the parishioners but the community," said golf tournament chairman Michael Rose, who said the church lets local groups meet there such as the Boy Scouts and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Last year, St. Raphael's organized the golf tournament only five months after the death of their priest, Father Bill Finch, and even during the troubled economy, the church was able to raise $40,000.

Rose, who spearheaded last year's golf classic, said the church hopes to raise the same amount this year. The main difference in this year's tournament will be the inclusion of a handicap scramble, providing more players with a chance to win, Rose said.

PGA Tour caddie Mike "Fluff" Cowan will help host the event, which will begin with a 10 a.m. registration and a shotgun start at noon. Cowan was recently named the 2010 Fed Ex Cup Champion Caddie. 

Manor Country Club general manager Bill Hughes said the church will rent out the club for the charity golf event. Hughes said the club does ten events a year for charities that use their facilities for fundraising events.

St. Raphael's school opened in 2006 with only a kindergarten and first grade class, but it has been adding one grade each year, said St. Raphael's School Director Theresa Dwyer. A nursery school had existed in the church since 1969.

This year, the school added a fifth grade class, which brings the school's enrollment to 122 students, Dwyer said.

Dwyer called the late Father Finch a complex man committed to his faith.

"He thought outside the box as he attempted to include more children of diverse backgrounds in Catholic education," Dwyer said.

Father Jim Meyers, who replaced Father Finch as the parish priest in July 2009, said the new educational building is essential to the school. The school needs more rooms so that it can include classes through the eighth grade, he added.

"I am sure [Finch] would be gratified that Father Meyers is working tirelessly to bring his vision to fruition," Dwyer said.

Meyers said the project, which will cost about $7 million, will be completed in March 2011. Meyers, who attended last year's golf tournament, called the event a financial success and a fun time.

Meyers said he believes Finch is smiling down from Heaven while the school is being built.

"It is all about keeping Father Bill's dream alive," Meyers said.