Catholic Charities Golf Tournament

Annual fundraiser to support the ministries of Catholic Charities of Arkansas

2023 Catholic Charities of Arkansas Golf Tournament raises more than $52,000

Twenty-eight golf teams, including seven priests and three deacons participated in the 28th annual Catholic Charities of Arkansas Golf Tournament Monday, Oct. 2, at the Granada Golf Course in Hot Springs Village.

More than 45 organizations and individuals sponsored the fundraising event, which generated more than $52,000 for the ministries of Catholic Charities of Arkansas, which provides family assistance, a free medical clinic, immigration services, parish social ministry, prison ministry, refugee resettlement and assistance for victims of domestic violence.

Underwriters for the event the Elser Family in memory of A.F. (Bill) and Ebby Elser and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Hot Springs Village. The parish with the most teams was Sacred Heart Church. Between underwriting eight teams and two more through parishioner-sponsored teams, Sacred Heart had a total of 10 teams participate in the tournament.

The following teams won the first, second and third flights at the tournament:

First Flight

  • First Place — Father Bill Elser, Bob Baker, Jay Lester and Mark Hittner, first place, 52
  • Second Place — Ryan Beck, Luke Beck, Father Joe Friend, Father Jon Miskin, 54
  • Third Place — Scott Krantz, Danny Murphy, Robert Pinson and Michael Mason, 55

Second Flight

  • First Place — Father John Marconi, Joe Justus, Larkus Pesnell and Jimmy Blake, 63
  • Second Place — Gary Wolfer, Jim Bergstrom, Jim Dixon and Ike Eisenhauer, 63
  • Third Place — Jeff Pracht, John Burgess, Brian Marsh and Trent Wunstel, 63

Third Flight

  • First Place — Phillip Isgrig, David Warren, Deacon B.J. Bowen and Richard Frederick, 67
  • Second Place — Father Paul Worm, Mike Prince, Keith Gray and Lance Gray, 68
  • Third Place — Greg Wolfe, Kelley Renard, John Airola and Adam Smith, 68

This event was established to honor the late Bishop Andrew J. McDonald, who served as shepherd for the Diocese of Little Rock from 1972 to 2000. It was during his tenure that Catholic Charities of Arkansas was established. The McDonald Center, which is home to the offices of Catholic Charities, is also named in his honor.

For more information about this event or to make a donation, email Megan Moore, office administrator of Catholic Charities of Arkansas, or call her at (501) 664-0340, ext. 379.