In his 40 years of playing golf, Lakewood Ranch's Robert Carolla never scored a hole-in-one.
Not until he played in the Communi-Tee Golf Classic, a fundraiser by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities on Sept. 17 at the Calusa Country Club.
"It was the 14th hole, 182 yards," Carolla said. "It bounced on the green and I didn't know when in. These guys (Steven Leone and Steve Nagy) started yelling that they thought it went in the hole."
Carolla said he thought it ended up somewhere behind the hole, but sure enough it made it in. He was ecstatic.
The Communi-Tee Golf Classic came to fruition in honor of the 25th year of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Keith Pandeloglou, president and CEO of the organization, said it made sense for the "organization responsible for bringing the community together" to do a golf tournament, as that is a common fundraiser around the area.
Pandeloglou said the Calusa Country Club was a cool place for people to connect and explore a place a lot of them had never been. It was also an opportunity to learn about Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
"It seemed to be a win-win, and the community responded, because we sold out," Pandeloglou said.
118 golfers participated in the tournament. Lennar Homebuilders was the presenting sponsor. The money raised will go towards future Lakewood Ranch Community Activities as well as to the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation, which awards grants to non-profits.
John Potocko and Gerry Hause are members of Calusa Country Club and said the event was well-organized and a lot of fun.
"We've been inviting the rest of our neighbors to come play with us, because we can bring guests," Potocko said. "It's been been a lot of fun, super convenient and just a blast."
Steven Leone, Robert Carolla and Steve Nagy celebrate Carolla's hole in one, which is the first of his 40 year golfing career, at the Communi-tee Golf Classic by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Ben Lacina and Alex Houston watch and celebrate as a friend participates in the Communi-tee Golf Classic by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Alex Houston, Ben Lacina, Jack McGovern and Matt Ambrosino are self described amateur golfers. They celebrate after scoring an eagle, which means they scored in two less strokes than expected.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch residents Jesse Fink, Steve Block, Dave Berks and Ron Rippo participate in the first annual Communi-tee Golf Classic by Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Gerry Hause gives a wave before taking a swing at the ball.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Joe Porter and Zach Sarnowski, along with Mike Harger and Greg Ramsden (unpictured) were the winners of the tournament, scoring 48 points.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Wofford, Tracy Wofford, Margi Rogers and Ben Rogers test out the golf ball air cannon at the Rite Technology booth.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Matt Ambrosino, a golfer of five years, watches to see where his golf ball falls during the Communi-Tee Golf Classic at Calusa Country Club.
Photo by Madison Bierl
John Potocko and Tim Robins are neighbors who live five minutes away from the country club and golf every week or two together.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Peter Menard, who has been golfing for six months, swings his club during the Communi-tee Golf Classic at Calusa Country Club.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Tim Robbins lives five minutes away from Calusa Country Club and golfs there every one or two weeks.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Chris McComas, Marianne Lawson, Susan Halsey and JD Lawson of MVP Vacations await the start of the Communi-tee Golf Classic at Calusa Country Club.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Tony Brinsisi is going home with $865 after being drawn as the 50/50 lottery winner. The other 50% of the raffle money goes towards future Lakewood Ranch Community Activities events.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Caitlyn Driscoll and Tara Weiffenbach represent Ecosouth, a waste management company and event sponsor of Lakewood Ranch Community Activities.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Tara Weiffenbach is one of the five winners to go home with an Ask Echo golf bag.
Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.
