Golfers Come Out to Support Christmas Island Style

When golfers got up last Saturday morning, they probably weren’t that optimistic about being able to play in the Annual Christmas Island Style (CIS) Golf Fundraiser. If you remember 2022, for the first time in the history of the annual tournament, Santa’s Helpers were disappointed by a storm system that canceled the tournament. This year close to 130 golfers were not disappointed, as once again the Island Country Club of Marco Island hosted the annual event which teed off at 1:00 PM after the rains subsided.

They wouldn’t tee off however, until they enjoyed a spectacular luncheon buffet. They then descended from the main dining room to the parking lot where they loaded into their carts as Christmas Island Style’s Chairman Wanda Burson thanked all of the golfers for their participation. The annual outing helps fund the many events run by the thirty-plus volunteers who organize many of the major holiday events on the island. 

Burson also introduced Mike Purvis, son of the late Wayne Purvis, who was the former Golf Chairman of Christmas Island Style. Wayne, like his wife Susan, were members of the Island Club, as well as Christmas Island Style. Wayne was also a proud member of the philanthropic F-Troop, members of which are also Island Club members and have been generous contributors to so many charitable causes on Marco Island. 

Burson then called on CIS’s Golf Chairman Sandi Sims Ramage to draw the winning ticket for the 50/50 winner. That lucky winner was Bev Snyder, who was playing in the event with her husband Larry. Bev graciously donated those funds back to Christmas Island Style. 

Golfer’s heard from Director of Golf Joseph Herbstreith in regard to the event’s rules of play, as well as cautioning golfers regarding the condition of the course.

Golfers made their way back into the clubhouse around 5:00 PM where they turned in their scorecards and checked their prize tickets to see if they had been lucky enough to win some of the many great prizes donated for the tournament.

This year’s winners were:

Winning for Longest Drive:

Brian Day/Shannon Degroot.

Closest to the Pin:

Justin Hanna/Bev Snyder

• First Place Foursome with a 63 - Doug and Jerry Guidish, Richard Shanahan and John Acunto.
• Second Place Foursome with a 63 - Ned and Al Laubenthal, Kevin Ellerbrock and Jack Ruhe.
• Third Place Foursome with a 64 - Jose Sanchez, Guy Korner, Matt Huneke and Chris Komer.
• Ties were determined by lowest score on the back nine holes

The next Christmas Island Style fundraiser is Ho/Ho/Ho Lets Raise Some Dough Casino Night to be held on Saturday evening, October 28th at Marco Lutheran Church at 525 N. Collier Boulevard, starting at 6:00 PM.