Tournament honors a classic Cape Region golfer
July 15, 2011
The Cape Region has a great reputation as a welcoming environment for all kinds of folks. Retirees from the surrounding states in the mid-Atlantic Region have certainly noticed this fact, and their increasing numbers have often been a huge benefit to their new community.
Eleanor Soltner was in many ways a typical Cape Region retiree. After finishing her 35-year career at Sun Oil in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, she moved to Lewes with her then-husband Tom Blanch. He died in 1999, but Eleanor found a new love in Frank Soltner, whom she married in 2003.
Eleanor was an avid golfer. She and Frank joined Shawnee Country Club, where she played in many tournaments, including those sponsored by the Delaware State Golf Association.
She was not just a summertime golfer, either. In February 2009 she won the women’s division of the DSGA’s Frozen Friday tournament at Bayside Golf Club near Fenwick Island, in one of the coldest rounds of golf in which I have ever participated. Eleanor always had a great smile whenever I would see her on the golf course.
In late January, Eleanor finally succumbed to illness at 75, while at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford.
Several of her golfing friends have now arranged for a new charitable golf tournament in her honor. The First Annual Eleanor Soltner Memorial Golf Outing will take place August 17, 2011, at Shawnee Country Club. The event will benefit the Delaware Hospice Center, which has helped over 36,000 patients and their families with critical end-of-life services.
The tournament format will use Callaway Scoring, which is often forgiving for those who don’t play very often. You can make up your own foursome, or the tournament folks will fit you into a group. The $100 fee includes greens fees, cart, a refreshment cart out on the course, and an awards reception with buffet dinner.
Sponsorship opportunities remain available, ranging from $100 to $4,000. Registration begins at 11:30, followed by a shotgun start at 1:00 and the award reception at 6:00 p.m.
For more information, call Bob Burd at 302-422-3501.
Local Club Tournament Results
The Kings Creek Country Club ladies teed off for their Flag Day event July 7.
Among those playing 9 holes, Susie Shevock won first place, with Carolyn Shriver and Celia Martin tying for second. Shevock also won closest to the hole on number 11.
The 18-hole group split into two flights, with Ana Dittel winning the first flight, and Patricia Ritthaler taking second, with Carol Simon in third. In the second flight, Ruth Bender took first place, with Annissa Brandt in second and Trish Galioto in third. Ritthaler was closest to the pin on number 5.
On July 11, the Kings Creek CC 9-holers played Three Jills and a Jack. The winning foursome included Sue Eisenbrey, Kathy Nave, Evelyn Vanderloo, and David Pie.
Second place went to Noreen Buzerak, Pat DeVoll, Susie Shevock, and Bob Vanderloo. Finishing in third place was the foursome of Sally Horvath, Shirley Miller, Carolyn Shriver, and Frank Merolla.
Shawnee Country Club held it annual Seniors Tournament July 9. Bob Burd won the gross category with a 5-over 75. David Whalen won the 75+ category, with a net 61, followed by Abe Ellison and Joseph Cavanaugh.
Ken Wheatley’s net 62 was good for first place in the 65-to-74 bracket, with Ray Mraz taking second and Don McLamb in third. In the 55-to-64 bracket, Bill Barnard’s net 63 put him in first, with Richard Collins finishing second and Dave Pyne in third. In the pre-senior division, for those 49-to-54, Jim Broadhurst finished in first with a net 67, with Dale Jarrell taking second place and Tim Gallagher in third.