Dave “Spiggy” Spigler and honorary Hogette Matthew White at the 17th Annual Spiggy & Friends Golf Tournament in Lusby June 30.
Lusby, MD – When the Washingtington Redskins Hogettes—men in dresses and pig snouts, for the uninitiated—decided to take a hiatus from their rootin’ for the home team after 30 years, Dave Spigler, known as “Spiggy,” took a hiatus as well.
Since 1999, Spiggy and Friends have hosted their benefit golf tournament at Chesapeake Hills Golf Course in Lusby and had raised more than $750,000 for Children’s Hospital, United Way of Calvert County and Special Olympics of Maryland. When the Hogettes disbanded, however, Spiggy let the benefit go for a few years.
He told a funny story about going to confession at his Catholic Church last year and the priest told him, “In 2017, I want you to do more charity work.”
“I told him, ‘Father, I’ve done a lot of charity work,’ ” Spiggy recalled. “
’Son,’ he told me, ‘we can all do more.’ ”
And so, the Hogettes were back in business, putting together the 17th annual Spiggy & Friends Charity Golf Tournament Friday, June 30.
Originally, Spigler hoped to have six former Redskins, but one by one, he said, life happens. Former longtime Redskins announcer Frank Herzog had to withdraw; Ron McDole had a family issue; Roy Jefferson had a death in the family; and Mike Nelms’ neighbor died and his funeral was the same day as the tournament.
“We lost the whole kit and caboodle,” he joked.
Former Redskin Ron Saul met his future wife at a Spiggy & Friends Tournament five years ago and did return for this year’s event. Bob Windsor, also a former Washington player, was in attendance as well, as was honorary Hogette Matthew White of North Beach.
Spigler noted the tournament is not a job he can do himself. A host of volunteers, including Calvert County State’s Attorney Laura Martin, and an equally impressive collection of sponsors, including Bayside Toyota, who Spigler said has gone “over and above” every year the tournament has been held, helped make the event successful.
Andre Ubogg of New Jersey, Gene Woodburn and Hogette Big Mac check out the Harley-Davidson available to the golfer who could peg a hole-in-one.
The Wannamakers of Bayside donated $2,500 to the tournament this year. Spigler said the tournament started with 20 teams but was up to 37 foursomes before suspending action three years ago.This year, 27 foursomes participated. There was a new car and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, again from Bayside, up for grabs if someone could poke a hole-in-one.
In all, there were 108 golfers and 33 volunteers. No one won the Hole in One competitions for the Harley-Davidson and the 2017 Toyota Camry furnished by Bayside Auto Group.
The following golfers won the longest drive and closest to the pin contests:
Closest to the pin on Hole No. 2 – Ted Thompson; Closest to the pin on Hole No. 16 – Jim Smith; Longest drive tee on Hole No. 7 – Gail Thomas; and longest drive tee on Hole No. 18 – John Boise.
The event brought in more than $17,000 and once the bills are paid the event will provide Children’s Hospital, Special Olympics and United Way of Calvert with the proceeds. Observers on the “Hole in One Hole” for the
Harley-Davidson included Kelly Chambers, CEO for United Way
of Calvert and her staff, Sherri Gedridge and Anjelica Eitel.
The Grill team fixing lunch included Calvert States Attorney Laura Martin and Assistant States Attorney “Kat” Marsh along with Maritrese Nash.
Grand Sponsors with teams in the tournament included owners Geoff and Susan Wannamaker from Bayside Auto Group and Team Century 21 New Millennium headed up by owner Mary Lynn Stone and her managers Josh Yowell, Tommy Higgins and Juan Aranda. Others teams participating included the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office led by Sheriff Mike Evans, Sabre Corporation’s Team led by CEO and President Glen Ives, the Southern Maryland Mustang Association from Pax River, and teams from Tri Mellon Construction and Buckets/Mimis Restaurant. Home Towne Real Estate and Kelly Generator also made contributions.
“We want to thank the Chesapeake Hills Golf Club for their great support once more and to Joe Bozick for his continued donations of cold beverages to a thirsty crowd on this warm summer afternoon,” Spigler said. “It was a perfect day for golf and an even better day our area’s sick children and their families who will benefit who will benefit from Spiggy and Friends’ fine efforts once more.”
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com