CHAUTAUQUA – This past Saturday, the Jamestown Community College Athletic Department held the 31st annual George Bataitis Open at the Chautauqua Golf Club.
This annual event is typically held in the spring time but with the global pandemic at its peak during that time, the event was moved to the fall. The GBO was first started as an afternoon of golf among friends and was named after George Bataitis after his 35 years of distinguished service to Jamestown Community College and the athletic department.
“It was great that we were able to hold the 31st annual GBO amidst all the chaos of the year,” said director of athletic George Sisson. “We had a great day to play. Chilly at check-in but awesome for the round. Thanks to Chautauqua Golf Course for getting us going in the morning and having the course well-manicured.”
The event hosted 22 teams of four on their 18-hole par 72 course under a scramble format. The 22 team were broken down into three flights with the first and second place finishers from each flight received awards.
The overall winner, and winner of the first flight, of this year’s GBO was G&G Fitness that comprised of the foursome of Jack Pero, Scott Lis, Ron Barstys, and Billy Rodgers with a score of 61. The second place finishers of the first flight was the team of Charlie Moss, Reid Vanevery, Brian Devine, and Steve Bowman with a score of 61.
The winner of the second flight was the team of Greg Fish, Bill Burk, Bill Wassman, and Tim Ruch with a score of 67. The second place finishers of the second flight was the team of Edwin Rodriguez, David Mabee, Travis Wilson, and Mike Hofner with a score of 68.
The team of Bill Burk, Bills Wassman, Tim Ruch, and Greg Fish
The winner of the third flight was the team of Phil Cammarata, Todd Conklin, Andrew Sisson, and Dave Rowe with a score of 70. The second place finisher of the third flight was the team or Steve Russo, Sam Ognibene, Scott Trisket, and Tim Card with the score of 70.
The team of Dave Rowe, Phil Cammarata, Andrew Sisson and Todd Conklin
Along with team awards, there were also contest awards given out along the course that included closest to the pin and longest drive. For the men, Tom Yocum won the closest to the pin on hole number four while Dan Colwell had the longest drive on hole number 17. For the women, Fran Carlson won the closest to the pin on hole number eight while Annette Patric had the longest drive on hole number 13.
All proceeds from the GBO goes towards scholarships for athletes attending JCC. After this past weekend’s event, well over $300,000 has been raised to help our student-athletes lift some of the financial burden of attending college while competing at a high level. To show their appreciation, athletes who receive scholarships were at the event, volunteering and socializing with the golfers while maintaining social distance.
“It was great to have our student-athletes at the event,” added Sisson. “We were able to show our participants what their commitment was going towards.”
Last but not least, the JCC athletic department would like to thank Jamestown Macadam, Inc. as being the main sponsor of the GBO along with all the other sponsors that helped make the GBO possible.
“We are grateful for the support of all our sponsors. Thank you to Jamestown Macadam for their continued primer sponsorship,” said Sisson. “George Bataitis is remembered for creating a family atmosphere in Jayhawks athletics. We are blessed to have a large “family” of supporters each year that make this event possible. All is good in the world when the GBO is happening. Friends are able to gather and create support to an awesome cause.”