By Carol Fisher-Linn
Wear your golf best and bring your party zest – it’s time to Par-Tee!
“It’s nice to be nice.” So said Big Ed. And what’s nicer than having fun playing golf with 144 close friends and adding big dollars to the stake to award more local students college scholarships? Sounds BIG ED nice to me. Having known the Big Guy, I join from afar in the annual tribute to this gentle giant of a man who had a smile or a humorous comment for everyone. He was surely a favorite realtor and bartender to many. To know Eddie was to love him. Yeah, he truly was one of those kind of guys.
Curiously, the people who are attracted to our wonderful friendly village of Ellicottville and adopt it as their home (as Eddie and Becky did) bring both a blessing when they spread their own sunshine and a double whammy when they leave us. Eddie’s sudden death at age 55 on January 2, 2012 left everyone who knew him in shock and unsure how to keep his vibrant memory alive. Since Eddie lived life to the fullest (playing golf was a high priority, next to family), it seems only logical that the love and living with gusto continue in his memory with a golf tournament in his honor. Although he loved the sport so much he headed out as soon as the last snow melted, this tournament is being held in summertime where participants have no danger of frostbite, which Big Ed probably would not have minded.
The first Eddie Szpaicher Golf Classic was held the summer he died, and fourteen years later it is as popular as it ever was. Originally organized by his good friend, Jay Stoddard the tournament is now being overseen by his son-in-law, Trey Clauss and his daughter, Mila Clauss (owners of City Garage). Appropriately, the scholarship component of this event ties in closely with the Szpaicher family support of the Lindsay Ann Rebmann Scholarship. Surely, Eddie is pleased as he winks at you while hitting his daily hole-in-one on the heavenly greens.
Clauss remarked, “Coming up on 14 years we still sell out with 144 golfers. We have a core group of golfers that have not missed a year.” He goes on to say, quite thankfully, “We could not make this happen without our hole sponsors – the donations directly fund the scholarships.” In fourteen years, the tournament has raised funds to award over $70,000 in scholarships at Ellicottville Central School and it is still going strong today! All proceeds from golfers’ participation go directly to the Eddie Szpaicher Scholarship Fund.
Alfred University and Ben Edwards, Rochester
Institute of Technology.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Ryan Metzger, Alfred University – Metzger’s ambition is to pursue a degree in education and to become a high school history teacher, alongside his desire to coach football and track.
Ben Edwards, Rochester Institute of Technology – Ben has been the captain of the Track and Field team, competing in Section Six State Qualifiers since freshman year and placing top four during his sophomore and junior years. Ben will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology and will be majoring in 3D Digital Design. He will continue his track career as a Tiger.
Congratulations to both Ryan and Ben. Best wishes for a successful future. Always remember your Ellicottville roots!
Tournament details:
Tuesday July 8th, 2025
- Registration/Pre-Party at The Depot
- 6pm -$35 per person – ALL ARE WELCOME!
Wednesday July 9th, 2025
- 9am – check in / registration at Holiday Valley Cabana Bar
- 10am – 18 holes of golf shotgun start/ 4 person scramble (best ball after all four players tee off)
- 11am – 1pm – Lunch
- Beer & Water Stations – personal coolers will be allowed
- Aprés party
- $150 / golf / lunch / aprés
** If you are a registered/invited golfer who would like to attend The Depot AND golf the cost is $175!!!