Ed Shakalis

The Lithuanian Open 1999

Ed Shakalis is a retired Electrical Engineer, PE and is presently an amateur radio operator with the USA call sign of KD1BJ and Lithuanian call sign LY3CJ. He is also on the Board of the Lithuanian- American Community of Cape Cod.

This year’s Lithuanian Open Golf Tournament was played on September 25, 1999 at the Squirrel Run Country Club in West Plymouth, Massachusetts.

It was quite a thrill to see the Lithuanian flag flying as you, the players, approached the club house. Several days before the Open, Dave Moore the golf pro, assuring me that the flag will be properly displayed, said “Don’t worry Ed, the yellow stripe will be on top!" He also showed off his hat and divot tool with the Lithuanian Open logo on them. Everybody was a Lithuanian that day.

My son Rick, daughter Dorothy, her husband Graham Beaton and Kestutis Banaitis arrived early to help me to prepare for the 110 players that were to start their rounds of golf at 9 AM sharp. It was a shot gun start, which means that all foursomes start at the same time from different holes in order to finish at the same time for the legendary Lithuanian Open Dinner. The format was Florida Scramble best ball, which gives ample opportunity for all team members to contribute.

This year proceeds of the Lithuanian Open is going to the Lithuanian Children’s Relief Inc (a worthwhile charity located in South Boston, Ma.) toward the purchase of a pediatric ventilator for the regional hospital located in the town of Telšiai. This hospital services the entire northwest region of Lithuania, and although they have medical equipment for adults, they are in dire need of equipment to treat children.

The weather was good with the exception of a brief shower. Most golfers ignored it and embraced the old adage, “It never rains on a golf course.”

The winners of the 1999 “Lithuanian Open”: (from left) Gerry Daly, Rick Shakalis, Sal Vasapole, Paul Oberlander. Photo: Ed Shakalis

This year’s winners of the Lithuanian Open are:

1st place team with a score of 10 under par: Rick Shakalis, Sal Vasapole, Gerry Daly and Paul Oberlander.

2nd place team with a score of 9 under par: Jack Basile, Steve Nickerson, Peter VanWagenen and Steve Kelley.

3rd place team with a score of 8 under par: Tom Stuopis, Leo Bernotas, Arunas Kleinis and Vyto Cepkauskas.

Longest drive: Gaynor Foster

Closest to pin: Hole 7-Jim Kraskouskas, Hole 13-Rimas Veitas, Hole 18-Sal Vasapole,

Ladies only: Hole 17-Mary Knasas

Other notable events of the day: Ramsey Schilling celebrated his 14th birthday at the Open with his brother Jeremy and father Ted Schilling, our “Lithuanian Consigliare” of Cape Cod.

The oldest player participating was Hip Moncevicz, who at 84 recently underwent a heart operation but still played well and completed 18 holes. You might remember him as an All American tackle at Holy Cross College in 1935.

As usual Dick Marsh did a stellar job preparing the food; in fact, some showed up just for the meal.

The Lithuanian Open trophy, which is made from authentic Lithuanian oak, was passed onto the winning team and their names will be engraved on a plaque that will be attached next to the previous winners. They get to hold it for one year only and have to return it for next year’s winners.

I am still waiting to hear when a course will be built in Lithuania so we can have a tournament there.

The Lithuanian Open Committee, Rick Shakalis, Kestutis Banaitis and Ed Shakalis, would like to thank all of this year’s participants, the hole sponsors, the people who donated to the raffle and the nice people at Squirrel Run. We hope to see you all at the 2000 Open.