Bavarian Hops Scramble Raises Thousands for Local Charities

The Ocean Pines Golf Members Council raised money for Diakonia and the Worcester County Humane Society during the 14th annual Bavarian Hops Scramble, held last Friday at the Ocean Pines Golf Club.

 

After tournament founder Ernie Stiles passed away last year, organizers decided the event would continue in his honor.

 

“Ernie’s idea was simply to go out for nine holes, have some good fun, and support some good causes,” Golf Council member Bob Long said. “This year the event began with a toast, as each participant raised a glass to the sky and said ‘Nostrovia!’ (to your health) in honor of Ernie and the others who have passed and who enjoyed playing in previous scrambles.”

Non-golfers joined in on the fun during a “Tee Box” party at the seventh hole, making donations and cheering or jeering as tournament participants tried to win a closest-to-the-pin contest. The honor this year, as well as the coveted “Hops Hat,” went to Walt Lischak.

 

The two-person scramble tournament uses a skins format for scoring, with the lowest net score on each hole earning a share of the prize money. Because the format also stipulates that if two teams tie all would tie, when overall scoring finished this year no team could claim the low score on any hole.

 

“As a result, all the prize money went to the designated charities,” Long said. “In total, $3,600 was raised [this year] and will go to the two designated charities.”

 

The Bavarian Hops Scramble over the years has raised more than $29,000 for local charities.

 

Following the tournament, players and friends enjoyed dinner at the Ocean Pines Community Center with catering provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

 

For more information on Ocean Pines Golf, visit www.oceanpinesgolf.org.