By Brooke Szpaicher
As we head into the thirteenth year of the Eddie Szpaicher Golf Classic, we are truly humbled by the love and support that we receive each and every year for this memorial golf tournament.
Here’s to another year of celebrating a local legend and celebrating the life of a local father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend. This year we are proud to once again host the 13th Annual Eddie Szpaicher Golf Classic at Holiday Valley Double Black Diamond Golf Course on July 10, 2024. With a record sell out in less than two hours last year, we took a different approach this year and made the tournament an invitational.
This tournament has been made possible by all of our volunteers, golfers, and donors. In honor of our father, we have continued this tournament to raise money for scholarships to give to two college bound, graduating Ellicottville Central seniors.
When my dad suddenly passed in 2012, we were blindsided and beyond devastated. As the months passed and a new golf season was once again upon us, it seemed fitting to honor him by doing his favorite thing: golf. Since then, the tournament has raised funds to award over $60,000+ in scholarships at Ellicottville Central School and it is still going strong today, being one of the largest local scholarships offered!
My dad was an amazing man who absolutely loved life and lived it to the fullest. Living in Ellicottville is what truly made him happy, which is why he and my mom, Rebecca, planted roots and raised our family here. A true lover of all things sports related, he spent a lot of time on the side-lines of fields and courts watching us play various sports over the years. (Even though it was like having a second coach waiting for you when you got home.) When he wasn’t watching his favorite sporting events, his friends could find him tending bar at various local establishments. His smile and larger-than-life personality made any patron (local or not) feel welcome and like they belonged there. Most known for his phrase, “It’s nice to be nice,” rang true in his daily life through his inter-actions with family, friends, and strangers alike. People still come up to us with stories about him, we love it!
This year’s recipients are Keelin Finn and Emmylu Carls. Keelin was the Salutatorian of her 2024 Senior class. She will be attending Gannon University in the fall to study pre-medicine. Emmylu will be attending Clemson University to study political science. Both students were beyond deserving of this year’s scholarship; involved in community activities, varsity sports, and living up to Dad’s motto, “It’s nice to be nice!”
Thank you to all sponsors and participants, without you, it would not be possible to appreciate our local graduating students! We cannot express our love and gratitude enough to all that make this possible. Although this year’s tournament is filled, please feel free to check out the tournament website, wwww.bigedgolf.com to make donations, for future tournament dates, and hole sponsor-ships. Thank you again to all who make this happen, friends, family, and the community!
Caption: This year’s recipients are Keelin Finn and Emmylu Carls. Keelin was the Salutatorian of her 2024 Senior class. She will be attending Gannon University in the fall to study pre-medicine. Emmylu will be attending Clemson University to study political science. Both students were beyond deserving of this year’s scholarship; involved in community activities, varsity sports, and living up to Dad’s motto, “It’s nice to be nice!”