Welcome Gentlemen to the 2005 Stefanides Invitational. I hope that this year’s event is one that you thoroughly enjoy and because of that chose to continue returning each year to Myrtle Beach the last week end in February for the Stefanides Invitational. This event started in 1978 as a venture of three brothers (Jon, Gary, and Gil), a brother in law (Jim Sullivan), a father (Jon, Sr.) and a few close friends. The first few years we were eight brave golfers from the northeast who could wait no longer to hit the links, so we ventured to Myrtle Beach in one Chevy Surburban truck with a U-haul to play several rounds of golf and to get away from the cold weather and the pressures of work. The tournament has grown as we have added golfers, added an additional day of golf, and now our children and their friends make up a large part of this event. We have golfers from nine different states. It is one that I hope continues for many years into the future. It is meant as an occasion to relax, meet new people, boast of expertise, and conjure up stories from the past. This year we have added seven new golfers to our tournament. Please introduce yourselves to the new golfers and make them welcome. Help them understand our rules and how we want everyone to relax and join in our merriment to make this tournament one in which you look forward to returning each year. We have added a new format for day four. I hope that it makes our ending calculations quick and accurate so that prizes and trophies may be awarded quickly. I enjoy your comments and suggestions and will be ever grateful for your returning and bringing your friends. You will note that this year will be the first time in the twenty seven (27) year history of this event that I will be unable to golf due to my fifth back surgery completed December 14th. I will be with you on the course everyday, and I will be at every event possible. I will be available to answer questions, resolve disputes, and maybe even help you navigate the courses. Enjoy the event and thanks to all of you who are here.

Gil Stefanides Tournament Director