The National Museum of Funeral History in Houston hosted 375 golfers during the Museum’s 22nd Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, May 16, 2016 at the Kingwood Country Club, in Kingwood, Texas. The annual tournament raised funds to support the Museum and its mission to enlighten visitors of one of man’s oldest professions and cultural rituals and celebrate the rich history of funeral service.
Proceeds from the Charity Golf Classic ensure the growth and preservation of the Museum and its programs. Most recently these funds supported the expansion of the Celebrating the Lives & Deaths of the Popes exhibit with the addition of a new section entitled “The Making of a Saint,” as well as the creation of a new exhibit entitled The History of Cremation, which should open in the next one to two years. “The Making of a Saint,” which opened on June 1, showcases the beatification and canonization processes the Vatican undergoes to reckon new saints. The History of Cremation, created in partnership with Cremation Association of North America (CANA), will feature artifacts and interactive components to showcase cremation through the ages and how we memorialize our dearly departed.
Through the immense support of the NMFH Charity Golf Classic’s sponsors, the Museum has been able to update many of its exhibits. For instance, a new casing is now on display for the original eternal flame from President John F. Kennedy’s gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery in the Presidential Funerals exhibit. Additionally, an opulent replica of a papal throne and an authentic sash worn by Saint John Paul II during his papacy have also been added to the Celebrating the Lives & Deaths of the Popes exhibit. New artifacts in the Tomb of the Unknown Solder exhibit enlighten visitors about the tomb guards, known as “sentinels,” all of whom are considered the most elite of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and are honored to serve in this “post,” or capacity. Featuring items from an actual Sentinel’s uniform, exhibit visitors will learn more about the “sentinel’s last walk,” or his last day of service as a tomb guard which includes a special ceremony that serves as a special time of reflection and remembrance of duty and respect for the Unknowns.
This year’s golf tournament kicked off with breakfast in the clubhouse sponsored by KAustin & Associates before the 9:30 a.m. shotgun start. The golfers then dispersed among the three courses for a five-man scramble to raise money for the Museum’s operations, exhibitions and programs. Following the 18-holes, players retreated to the clubhouse for a cocktail reception sponsored by Doric Products, followed by a silent auction, Tex-Mex dinner and awards ceremony.
The following winning teams were awarded in flights:
1. Pro Wannabees: Mike DiBease; Rodney Molitor; John Parlapiano; Chris Trainor; Mike Webb
2. Average Joe’s: Mike Fischer; Jon Geren; Richard Hartmann; Danny Kennedy; Bruce Kutsche
3. Enjoyin’ The Day: Spencer Bitton; Bruce Goddard; Dennis Nato; Robbie Pape; W. Pixley
Museum president Genevieve Keeney took a moment during the awards ceremony to acknowledge the members of the golf committee who work tirelessly throughout the year every year to plan the golf tournament, as well as the volunteers who staff the two-day event (Sponsor Appreciation Night and the golf tournament) and make it such a great success.
The 22nd Annual Charity Golf Classic’s more than 90 sponsors were also recognized throughout the tournament on signage provided by Walton Signage. The museum’s Board of Directors extended its sincerest gratitude to all the event sponsors for their continued support, including the following Platinum Sponsors: American Funeral Supply Co.; Assurant Solutions; Batesville Casket Company; BrightView; Carrier Mausoleums Construction, Inc.; Hauck Enterprises, Ltd.; Insight; Keith M. Merrick Company, Inc.; Matthews International Corporation; Messenger, LLC; Regions Bank; Teligistics; and Wheels, Inc.
Other sponsors included: Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Services; Deloitte Tax LLP; Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA, Inc.; Precious Memories; SunTrust Bank; Adcraft, Inc.; EY; Infusion; J.D. Power; Legacy Touch; PriceWaterhouseCoopers; Star Granite Company; Tri-Point Construction; Wilbert Vaults of Houston, LLC; ColdSpring; Harper & Pearson Company; Oro Solutions; Payment Service Network Inc.; Abigail Press, Inc.; Cintas Corporation; Kenny Whistler Architect; LCG Associates; Legacy Funeral Group LLC; Meriplex Communications; Montag & Caldwell, LLC; SVG; Terracon; Texan Floor Services; WEDGE Capital Management; AMA Containers; Cramer Rosenthal McGlynn, LLC; Barrow Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC; Cremation Association of North America; Davey Tree Expert Company; Floral Marketing; LCG Associates; Mastercraft Casket Co., Inc.; Norton Rose Fullbright; Southland Medical Corporation; Sterling Capital Management; Tecta America; The Wilbert Group; Trifecta Contracting Group, LLC; Acuity Vct; Chartwell Investment Partners, Inc; Design Evolution, Inc.; Domenick DeNigris, Inc.; Energy Dynamics; Guidant Group; Hartmann Architecture, Inc.; Heritage Flower Company; Hood River Capital Management; Hotchkis & Wiley; Kryprotek; Kubota Tractor Corporation; Legg Mason Institutional; NFDA; Oxford Contractors, LLC; P.A.V.C.O. Contracting Group, LLC; Salient; ScentAir; Securitas Security Services USA, Inc.; Corporate Graphics International of Waco; Terrybear Urn & Memorials; The Dodge Company, Inc.; Westside Graphics Inc.; Dignity Memorial; Accubuilt, Inc; Lecon, Inc.; Charles Nechtem Associates, Inc.; J.B. Waddell General Contractors, Inc.; Facility Source; FMI; Boundless; and Staples.
The event wrapped up with the announcement of the date for the 2017 National Museum of Funeral History Annual Charity Golf Classic on May 22, 2017. Online registration will open January 1, 2017. For more information on the Museum’s Charity Golf Classic, visit www.nmfh.org or call 281-876-3063.