Putting with Purpose: Dan Reed Memorial Tournament Supports Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Last Friday, 100 patriotic golfers gathered at San Vicente Golf Course to play the beloved game in support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, whose mission includes paying off mortgages for families of fallen first responders and military service members with young children, providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star families, and launching initiatives to eradicate homelessness among veterans, offering housing and comprehensive support services.

The opening ceremonies started as Head Golf Professional Matt Brumbaugh welcomed everyone and recognized the tournament committee, led by Co-Chairs Robyn Bolitho and Jodie Taylor, and volunteers, followed by a performance by the Ramona High School Color Guard and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Dave Castberg. Players enjoyed a breakfast burrito and a selection of morning cocktails.

Golfers then got into their carts for the shotgun start and participants, including teams of firefighters, police officers, community members, golf club players, friends, and family, navigated the course with camaraderie and a touch of competition. The tournament featured various activities, including a putting contest and a hole-in-one challenge on hole 2, where participants had a chance to win a car parked near the hole.

The Tunnel to Towers New York team included Senior Coordinator of the National Golf Series MaryAnn Mulligan Burrows, as well as Dan Deleon and Jack Oehm. Dan Deleon, the National Golf Series Associate Director, played golf with General Manager Carl Weise and golfers Steve Chambers and Tim Martin. Born and raised in New York, DeLeon volunteered for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for 15 years and has been working for the foundation for two years. He is happy to be a part of this cause to help others.

12-year Tunnel to Towers Board of Directors member Jack Oehm is a retired battalion chief for the New York City Fire Department. His job for the day was to drive around and troubleshoot. He toured with Co-Chair Jodie Taylor and called her the "energizer bunny," saying he "rode and did nothing and was exhausted." This tournament is very meaningful to him because Dan Reed, who passed away a year and a half ago, was a very special man, and they had a great bond. When he comes out to this event, it is always an emotional experience for him.

Participant Tommy Roderick, a 17-year army veteran, is the general sales manager for Team Kia of El Cajon, which donated a car for the hole-in-one contest on hole 2. "I am a big proponent of the United States, and I love to support anything to make our country better," says Roderick.

Many first responders were in attendance, including Alex Chiappone, who is new to golf. He works for the San Diego Police Department in the motors division, and one of his friends asked him to play in the tournament. In preparation for the day, he played his first round of golf earlier in the week. Danny Richards, 22, who is going into the fire academy, was golfing with friends supporting the great cause.

One group of women on the course expressed their patriotism with red, white, and blue clothing and sparkly hats. Victoria Reed, the wife of Dan Reed, was part of this fashionable group. "Dan and I led the tournament together for the first three years," she said. Dan never wanted the tournament to be about him, and she promised her husband she would carry it on. She added that this event means the world to her.

A cocktail hour and a delicious catered Prime Rib dinner followed, and the evening program started with Tunnel to Towers lead Dan Deleon telling the story of Steven Siller, a courageous New York firefighter who was planning to play golf on September 11, 2001, when he received the call that a plane hit the twin towers. Siller learned that his fire team had already left, so he drove alone and was stopped at the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, which was closed for security purposes. He parked his truck, grabbed his 60 pounds of firefighting gear, and ran through the tunnel to the towers, helping to save thousands of people before losing his life. "He lost his life while saving others," DeLeon said.

Jodie Taylor recognized the late Rex Gammon for his tireless work as a volunteer over the years. She presented his wife, Terri, with a Tunnel to Towers wooden flag. Robyn Bolitho recognized the late Dan Reed, a fireman, who started the resort’s tournament with his wife Victoria in 2022 raising $120,000 in three years, and she honored Victoria, who traveled from her home in Idaho to play in this tournament.

Kaylee Valene and her daughters Grace and Lilly are this year’s Gold Star Family from Vista. They lost husband and Dad, Andy, three months after he was diagnosed with "occupational cancer" or "line of duty cancer." He was only 33 years old. Kaylee, who was 34 at the time, said she was grateful for the mortgage-free home and the nurturing support of all who helped.

Last, and not least, congratulations to the winning golfers: Mike Maschmeier, Ben Newton, Brett Bohan, and Gregory Coleman.

The event was made possible through the hard work of The Tunnel to Towers Committee, consisting of 19 members led by co-directors Jodie Taylor and Robyn Bolitho. Bolitho and her husband were in the Marine Corps, and this is her fourth year on the committee.

Thanks to the many generous sponsors and those who contributed 37 raffle items and 31 silent auction items.

By embodying the principle of "Do the Right Thing," the Dan Reed Memorial Golf Classic participants, volunteers, and sponsors made a difference to our heroes and families helped by the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Photos by Kortney Weseloh, Heather McGhee, and Robyn Bolitho.