Community teams up to remember Al Hogle

Since the death of Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle, the community has come together to honor the life of the man who spent nine-and-a-half years as the island’s top cop.

The latest effort to memorialize the police chief will come this Friday, Sept. 21, during the Longboat Key Club and Resort’s second First Responder Golf Tournament, which this year is named in honor of Hogle.

Sandra Rios, director of communications at the Key Club, said that naming this year’s tournament after Hogle was a natural choice.

“Last year, the tournament was in remembrance of Sept. 11,” Rios said. “I think each year, depending on the situation, it’s an opportunity to honor someone within the first-responder community.”

This year’s tournament benefits the Police Athletic League of Sarasota County Inc. and the Child Protection Center Inc.

“We are deeply honored to once again be hosting this charity golf tournament as a way of honoring our local emergency-response teams,” said Michael Welly, general manager of the Longboat Key Club and Resort, in a prepared statement. “We want to show our appreciation for their dedication and service to our communities and to remember Chief Al Hogle, a man who was respected by all and whose generosity and commitment to our community will continue to live on in our hearts. I look forward to seeing our community leaders, first responders and local residents out on our course Sept. 21, in support of charities that were important to the chief.”

The tournament isn’t the first event named in honor of Hogle since his May 14 death in a motorcycle crash.

During the summer, Longboat Key’s Fourth of July Freedom Fest parade was named the Al Hogle Freedom Fest.

But, soon, Hogle will also get a permanent memorial at the town’s Public Safety Complex, where the police station is located.

According to Longboat Key Police Chief Pete Cumming, the town will plant a magnolia tree with a plaque that states: “In memory of Al Hogle, chief of police.”

A dedication ceremony will take place at a later date that has not yet been set.

IF YOU GO
First Responder Golf Tournament in memory of Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle
What: The tournament is open to the public and limited to 128 players. The entry fees is $135 per player and includes a continental breakfast, greens fees, cart, practice balls, awards luncheon, beverages, beer, wine and prizes. It will be played at the Harbourside Golf Course, with an 8 a.m. shotgun start. Contact Terry O’Hara, director of golf at Longboat Key Club & Resort, to register at 387-1631 or [email protected].
When: 8 a.m. shotgun start, Friday, Sept. 21
Where: Longboat Key Club and Resort Harbourside Golf Course