By Contributing Editor Blair Drake

After more than a year apart because of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Lee Coast (Fla.) Chapter came together in April to host the chapter’s annual Mackenzie-Janes Tribute Golf Outing. This was the seventh year for the event, which benefits chapter programs, including Mission United 211 and Hearts and Homes for Veterans, as well as scholarships for local Junior ROTC cadets and veterans attending Florida Gulf Coast University and Florida SouthWestern State College.

“[The tournament] was a resounding success,” said event co-chair Rear Adm. Roger Triftshauser, USN (Ret). The event, which was held at the Shell Point Golf Club in Fort Myers, raised over $30,000 and included 144 players and 60 hole sponsors.

“We are grateful for the support from the community,” said Triftshauser, who pointed out last year’s tournament was canceled because of the pandemic. “The participation shows the continued desire to support veterans and servicemembers here in Florida.”

[RELATED: Chapter Supports Future, Current, and Past Servicemembers]

A particularly special moment from the event, said Triftshauser, was recognition of the tournament’s honored guest: Army 1st Lt. Bill Reiff, who served in World War II as a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot. The 97-year-old also played in the tournament, with an impressive 14 handicap. Reiff was introduced by Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli, a former Blue Angels demonstration pilot who served as the tournament’s honorary chairman.

Triftshauser said members of the chapter were integral to the event’s success, helping to plan the tournament, sign up players, secure hole sponsors, and oversee logistics the day of the event.

Though some aspects of the tournament were different than past years because of continued health precautions, Triftshauser said the fact the event even happened was the great part.

“You need events like this to keep the spirit up, especially after not being able to meet in-person over the past year,” he said. “It was well worth the effort. This tournament is something we’ve done well over the years, and hopefully we will do even better in the future.”

Blair Drake is a contributing editor for MOAA and lives in Souderton, Pa. She previously served on the editorial team of Military Officer magazine for nine years.