From staff reports
An annual charity golf outing that provides scholarships to Venango Catholic High School students will honor a second man this year.
The Thomas McGinty/Patrick Connelly Golf Classic will be held Saturday, June 8, at Venango Valley Golf Course near Cambridge Springs.
The tourney, which is in its ninth year, supported a scholarship fund in McGinty’s name the previous eight years.
The name of Patrick Connelly, an Oil City native, 1980 Oil City High School graduate and the brother of tournament organizer Tom Connelly, has been added to the outing title.
Patrick Connelly, who died unexpectedly March 11 at his home in Cambridge Springs at the age of 57, also enjoyed golfing and played in the tourney every year with his friends.
Funds generated each year from the outing go toward music and art college scholarships for students from Venango Catholic, General McLane and Cambridge Springs high schools.
A total of 38 scholarships have been presented to date, including nine to Venango Catholic grads. Two students in the VC Class of 2019 will receive scholarships at commencement exercises June 2.
The scholarship fund was formed in 2010 by Tom Connelly, a longtime friend of McGinty who also grew up in Oil City and now lives in Edinboro.
Scholarships are awarded to students who are role models in both scholastic and athletic abilities, according to Tom Connelly. A priority is placed on helping other students, teachers or school visitors in times of need, Connelly said.
The outing has become an informal Venango Catholic reunion as about 30 to 40 VC grads, including siblings in both the McGinty and Connelly families, meet to golf and/or eat.
Four of McGinty’s friends in the VC Class of 1976 have teamed up to play every year, and this year a second foursome from the class is participating.
Anyone who wants to golf or make a donation this year can contact Connelly at (814) 823-4727 or tomc@hydropac.com or Mary Jo McGinty at (814) 673-0720 or mjswazee2@yahoo.com
Registration for the tournament will begin at 12:30 p.m. that day with a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m. The entry fee is $70, hole sponsorships are $100, and dinner will be available for $25 for those who want to attend but aren’t golfing.
Checks to play or make a donation can be made payable to the Thomas M. McGinty Scholarship Fund and mailed to Connelly at 114 Valley View Drive, Edinboro, 16412.
