San Marcos GI Forum Firecracker Golf Tournament results

The San Marcos GI Forum’s 18th Annual Firecracker Golf Tournament Classic was a great success — ending with a Firecracker Boom! We were blessed with good weather as we wound down our schedule of activities with music by Dean Mark, better known as “Big Daddy,” who provided the sounds of good times.

Tournament Chair Jesse Sanchez gives 2nd place award to Hobby 1 team, from left Mark Guerrero, Dotie Fedro and James Fedro.

They were a total of 20 registered golf teams with nineteen competing in the 18 Hole 3Ball Format.

The event started with a patriotic presentation as Prairie Lea High School student Sierra Zapata sang the National Anthem to all players, friends and guests in attendance.

Tournament Chair Jesse Sanchez gives 3rd place award to Gandar team, from left Orlando 

SMAGIF Tournament Chairman Jesse Sanchez thanked everyone who has supported this fundraiser event since its inception early in the year 2000, when it was first organized at what was then the Aquarena Springs Golf Course. He also thanked all the community support of individual donors, businesses, merchants, and team sponsorship of various companies/ organizations.

Cierra Zapata, 16, from Prairie Lea High School, sings the National Anthem at the Firecracker Golf Tournament opening ceremony. 

A special thanks to the Hobby Foundation for being the tournament sponsor of scholarships since 2015, and appreciation to the outgoing staff at Quail Creek Golf Club for the many years they have been providing the GI Forum Chapter with course preparations and the usage of golf course facilities.

Also, to the American GI Forum of SSgt. John P. Nevares-Women Chapter for their logistics support of making this happen.

Tournament Chair Jesse Sanchez gives closest to pin on Hole #3 award to Gil Rainosek.

Tournament Results:

There were three teams tied for 1st place with Net Scores of (55’s).

• For the 2nd year in a row the Saucedo’s Wrecker Team by virtue of scorecard playoff, were declared 1st Place-Champs.
• 2nd Place Winners were the Hobby 1 Team
• 3rd Place Winner was the Gandar Team
• 4th Place winners were Hobby 2 Team also by virtue of a scorecard playoff with the two teams posting identical net scores of (56’s).

Tournament Chair Jesse Sanchez gives closest to pin on Hole #8 award to Willie Delgado.

The Closet-to-Flag winners for all par threes contest were:

• Hole #3 - Gil Rainosek
• Hole #8 – Willie Delgado
• Hole #11 – E.B. “Bones” Williams
• Hole #15 – Richard Reyes

Tournament Chair Jesse Sanchez gives closest to pin on Hole #11 award to E.B. “Bones” Williams.

Tournament Chair Jesse Sanchez gives closest to pin on Hole #15 award to Richard Reyes.

Entertainer Dean Mark “Big Daddy” sings “America the Beautiful” at the Firecracker Golf Tournament.