St. Mary's Men's Club honors Don Prola

About 50 golfers enjoyed lunch at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton before a round on the course.

  • By Katie Johns
  • | 1:45 p.m. February 21, 2017
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Friends, family and St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Men’s Club members gathered on Feb. 21 to honor Don Prola.

Prola, who died in July, often planned annual golf outings for the Men’s Club. So, in order to honor him, the club held a Don Prola Memorial Golf Tournament at IMG Academy of Golf. About 50 people attended the event that included a buffet lunch before a round of golf.

As they signed in, each attendee got a small card with “Lessons from Don” on the back. Some of his lessons include “stay positive and be confident” and “have fun and take the good with the bad.”

Co-chairman of the tournament Lenny DiStefano, Men’s Club President Chuck Sobieck and the Rev. Eric Scanlan
Co-chairman of the tournament Lenny DiStefano, Men’s Club President Chuck Sobieck and the Rev. Eric Scanlan
Kevin Rutkowski, a friend of Don Prola’s and Prola’s sister-in-law and brother-in-law Pat and Jim McElligott
Kevin Rutkowski, a friend of Don Prola’s and Prola’s sister-in-law and brother-in-law Pat and Jim McElligott
Joe Sever and Don Atkinson
Joe Sever and Don Atkinson
This was the second time the Men’s Club has held the Don Prola Memorial Golf Tournament.
This was the second time the Men’s Club has held the Don Prola Memorial Golf Tournament.
John and Walter Kowal
John and Walter Kowal
Golfers enjoyed a buffet lunch that included hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, sandwiches and salad.
Golfers enjoyed a buffet lunch that included hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, sandwiches and salad.
Golfers enjoyed a buffet lunch that included hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, sandwiches and salad.
Golfers enjoyed a buffet lunch that included hot dogs, hamburgers, coleslaw, sandwiches and salad.
Don Richer, Roger Garbarino and Dick Antonello
Don Richer, Roger Garbarino and Dick Antonello
Bob Wyatt, Tom Meurer, John Donnelly and Bill Roche
Bob Wyatt, Tom Meurer, John Donnelly and Bill Roche
Attendees got small cards with Don Prola sayings. There were also raffle prizes available including apparel from Longboat Key restaurants like Harry’s Continental Kitchens and Dry Dock Waterfront Grill.
Attendees got small cards with Don Prola sayings. There were also raffle prizes available including apparel from Longboat Key restaurants like Harry’s Continental Kitchens and Dry Dock Waterfront Grill.
Bill Barber, Mike Rothman, Sal Principe and Chris Connolly
Bill Barber, Mike Rothman, Sal Principe and Chris Connolly
Gus Swoboda, Dick Warren, Mike VandenBusch, the Rev. Eric Scanlan and Tom Thibodeau
Gus Swoboda, Dick Warren, Mike VandenBusch, the Rev. Eric Scanlan and Tom Thibodeau

 

Latest News

Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands
Part of the renovation of Fruitville Library is a new History Center, replacing a building in Osprey a document calls "aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.''
  • December 12, 2025
Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure
Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content