News
OPMGA announces Member-Member Championship results
The following is a release from the OPMGA:
(Sept. 19, 2023) Mike Daley ran a nice event on Thursday, with 58 golfers turning out for the OPMGA (Ocean Pines Men's Golf Association) Member-Member Championship.
Congratulations go to Gerry and Gerald Butler, whose two over par score of 74 won the Low Gross Award. Bill Dixon and Carl Hedde led the way in the Low Net side with a five under par 67.
In the closest to the pin competition, the team of Ron Sieka and Bill Stafford took the prize on hole #5 thanks to Ron's tee shot that stopped 10 inches from the hole.
On hole #7, Don McMullen's shot came within two feet of the hole and won the prize for Don and Frank Ruggiere. Don and Frank also picked up the prize at the 16th hole, while the team of Chuck Choate and Hank Morgan won for their shot on the 13th.
The full tournament results aere below:
(Sept. 19, 2023) Mike Daley ran a nice event on Thursday, with 58 golfers turning out for the OPMGA (Ocean Pines Men's Golf Association) Member-Member Championship.
Congratulations go to Gerry and Gerald Butler, whose two over par score of 74 won the Low Gross Award. Bill Dixon and Carl Hedde led the way in the Low Net side with a five under par 67.
In the closest to the pin competition, the team of Ron Sieka and Bill Stafford took the prize on hole #5 thanks to Ron's tee shot that stopped 10 inches from the hole.
On hole #7, Don McMullen's shot came within two feet of the hole and won the prize for Don and Frank Ruggiere. Don and Frank also picked up the prize at the 16th hole, while the team of Chuck Choate and Hank Morgan won for their shot on the 13th.
The full tournament results aere below:
Veterans Memorial Foundation hosts annual golf tournament to benefit education programs
(Aug. 11, 2023) The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation announced the 16th annual Veterans Memorial Tournament, Wednesday, Sept. 20 at the Ocean Pines Golf Club.
The event will benefit education programs of the Memorial Foundation that include annual tours of the memorial grounds by all fifth-grade students in Worcester County.
The annual tours are part of a collaboration between the Worcester County Board of Education and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation. Tours are led by dedicated volunteer docents who share their knowledge of veterans' sacrifices, the history of different service branches, and flag etiquette.
Complementing these sessions, JROTC cadets from Stephen Decatur High School, Snow Hill High School, and Pocomoke High School provide hands-on guidance in proper flag handling and folding, helping to foster intergenerational connections and respect for the nation's heritage.
All students also receive an activity guide to reinforce those lessons and encourage ongoing conversations about their family's contributions and military service history.
The annual golf tournament is the major fundraiser for Memorial Foundation education programs.
The tournament will feature a scramble best ball format with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Registration is $125 per player and includes tournament entry, golf cart, lunch, and access to tournament prizes.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels, ranging from $100 to $2,000, with each offering distinct benefits.
To download a tournament or sponsor form, visit https://oceanpines.org/documents/10184/91707/2023+Veterans+Memorial+Foundation+tournament+brochure.pdf?t=1691761836548.
The foundation also welcomes donations, gift certificates, and prizes for the tournament's silent auction. All contributions are tax-deductible.
The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the tax ID EIN# 20-3130695.
For more information, contact Marie Gilmore at 410-726-2881 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Don McMullen at 443-388-2941 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The event will benefit education programs of the Memorial Foundation that include annual tours of the memorial grounds by all fifth-grade students in Worcester County.
The annual tours are part of a collaboration between the Worcester County Board of Education and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation. Tours are led by dedicated volunteer docents who share their knowledge of veterans' sacrifices, the history of different service branches, and flag etiquette.
Complementing these sessions, JROTC cadets from Stephen Decatur High School, Snow Hill High School, and Pocomoke High School provide hands-on guidance in proper flag handling and folding, helping to foster intergenerational connections and respect for the nation's heritage.
All students also receive an activity guide to reinforce those lessons and encourage ongoing conversations about their family's contributions and military service history.
The annual golf tournament is the major fundraiser for Memorial Foundation education programs.
The tournament will feature a scramble best ball format with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.
Registration is $125 per player and includes tournament entry, golf cart, lunch, and access to tournament prizes.
Sponsorship opportunities are available at various levels, ranging from $100 to $2,000, with each offering distinct benefits.
To download a tournament or sponsor form, visit https://oceanpines.org/documents/10184/91707/2023+Veterans+Memorial+Foundation+tournament+brochure.pdf?t=1691761836548.
The foundation also welcomes donations, gift certificates, and prizes for the tournament's silent auction. All contributions are tax-deductible.
The Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the tax ID EIN# 20-3130695.
For more information, contact Marie Gilmore at 410-726-2881 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or Don McMullen at 443-388-2941 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Reviving tradition: Ernie Styles’ Bavarian Hops Scramble returns on Aug. 25
(Aug. 11, 2023) The Ocean Pines Golf Club will once again play host to the Ernie Styles’ Bavarian Hops Scramble on Friday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m.
Originally conceived by the late Ernie Styles, the Bavarian Hops Scramble was designed as a fun, nine-hole experience where participants could engage in a friendly round of golf, accompanied by four refreshing hops beverages.
Laughter, camaraderie, and enjoyment were at the forefront of this unique event, with participants raising their glasses to toast cherished memories and contribute to local causes. Notable beneficiaries have included the Worcester County Humane Society and Diakonia, and the event has raised more than $30,000 for local charities since its inception.
This year, Patty Curtin and Don McMullen have taken over as event organizers.
The 2023 Ernie Styles’ Bavarian Hops Scramble promises an array of exciting features:
All proceeds are directed towards the worthy causes of Diakonia and the Worcester County Humane Society.
Entry is $25 per person, and cart and greens fees are the responsibility of each participant. The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 21.
To register, fill out and return the entry form available online at https://oceanpines.org/documents/10184/91707/Bavarian+Hops+2023+notice+sign+up.pdf?t=1691695313120.
For more information, contact McMullen at 443-388-2941 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Originally conceived by the late Ernie Styles, the Bavarian Hops Scramble was designed as a fun, nine-hole experience where participants could engage in a friendly round of golf, accompanied by four refreshing hops beverages.
Laughter, camaraderie, and enjoyment were at the forefront of this unique event, with participants raising their glasses to toast cherished memories and contribute to local causes. Notable beneficiaries have included the Worcester County Humane Society and Diakonia, and the event has raised more than $30,000 for local charities since its inception.
This year, Patty Curtin and Don McMullen have taken over as event organizers.
The 2023 Ernie Styles’ Bavarian Hops Scramble promises an array of exciting features:
- A nine-hole, two-person scramble, allowing participants to register as a team or as individuals.
- The opportunity to secure a “clear" low net on each hole, earning a skin and a share of the prize (pro shop credits).
- A spirited "closest-to-the-pin" competition on hole number seven, with the winner receiving the coveted “Hops Hat” for an entire year.
- A lively seventh tee box party designed for those not participating in the golf event.
- An inviting dinner is available at the Clubhouse Bar and Grille, extending camaraderie among Ocean Pines Golf friends.
All proceeds are directed towards the worthy causes of Diakonia and the Worcester County Humane Society.
Entry is $25 per person, and cart and greens fees are the responsibility of each participant. The registration deadline is Monday, Aug. 21.
To register, fill out and return the entry form available online at https://oceanpines.org/documents/10184/91707/Bavarian+Hops+2023+notice+sign+up.pdf?t=1691695313120.
For more information, contact McMullen at 443-388-2941 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
2023 Ocean Pines Golf Championship results announced
Frank Sallese won the 2023 Ocean Pines Golf Club Championship with an overall gross score of 164, after two days of tough competition on June 24-25.
The championship was open to all Ocean Pines residents and club members and showcased remarkable skill among the participants.
In the end, three players emerged as top contenders, finishing within a mere two strokes of the lead.
In the Championship Flight and competing from the blue tees, Sallese held onto a narrow margin from the first day of competition to pull out the overall victory. He fended off strong challenges from Charles Vigilante and the reigning 2022 champion, Gerry Butler, who finished one and two strokes behind, respectively.
In Flight One, teeing off from the white tees, Fritz Lahner also held onto a day-one lead to clinch victory with a one-stroke advantage over Darin Stuiber and Ben Frock.
Meanwhile, in Flight Two, battling it out from the gold tees, Chuck Choate came back from a three-stroke deficit to pull out the victory with a remarkable four-stroke lead. He beat out formidable opponents in Ron Sieka and Bill Stafford to claim the well-deserved victory.
The Ocean Pines course, after enduring several days of heavy rains, presented an additional challenge with its extended length beyond the standard 6632 yards and 70.7 course rating. However, the weather favored the competitors as the showers held off until after Saturday's play. Sunday greeted the players with warm and humid weather under sunny skies, creating an ideal backdrop for the championship's conclusion.
Despite the challenging course conditions, the greens and fairways maintained their excellent condition throughout the tournament.
The 2023 Ocean Pines Golf Championship provided an unforgettable display of skill, resilience, and sportsmanship. Congratulations to all the participants for their exceptional performance, and a special acknowledgment to the winners of each flight.
The event was run by Ocean Pines Golf Director Bob Beckelman, John O'Connor, and the Ocean Pines Golf Club staff.
New junior golf programs
The Ocean Pines Golf Club has added two new programs as part of the Matt Ruggiere Golf Academy at Ocean Pines.
The "Junior Summer Tune Up Series" will run from 11 a.m. to noon on July 10, 13, 20 and 28, and Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 23. The cost is $25 per junior per session, and the series is open to all skill levels, from ages 7-16.
The "Junior Coaching Program" is a five-week program that consists of four instructional classes, followed by a nine-hole playing event on the final week. Ages 7-11 will meet on Thursdays and ages 11-14 will meet on Mondays. The cost for each semester is $175.
Visit www.ruggieregolf.com for more information and scheduling.