Westwood Athletic Alumni Association Hosts Annual Golf Outing to Benefit Westwood High School Athletics

As the morning mist lifted, a crowd of more than 125 golfers gathered at Brookmeadow Country Club for a fun round and to raise money for the Westwood High School athletic program. The event, drawing former athletes, parents and supporters of the program, has continued to grow each year, and the goal was to top the $12,500 raised for the athletic program in 2024.
 
“Thinking back to when we started this, it really just came from a a fun text thread of four or five of us, all football alumni,” said Alex Jowdy, one of the event organizers. “We kind of roast on each other throughout the year. At first, we were trying to fundraise for a football sled. We threw the word out to our old teammates to see if we all would want to pitch in and throw a little bit of money. Within two or three months of buying the sled, the whole thing was born.”
 
Jowdy works together with John Buckley, Jr., Joe Vinci, Mike Griffin, Morgan Donahue and many others who are still passionately connected to the Westwood community to organize the event and rally a crew of loyal participants, many of whom return each year.
 
“It’s really special,” said Vinci as he checked in guests at the welcome desk. “I get to see people I haven’t seen in a while, spend time and say hello and see how everybody’s doing.”
 
As Vinci welcomed many familiar faces, his son Mario, a senior at Westwood High School, was working the raffle table, encouraging people to buy tickets to support the cause.
 
“It shows how everyone’s so connected,” said Mario. “Even so many years later, everyone’s willing to come together. That’s just fun. I hear about some people that my dad talks about, but I’ve never really met them, but I’ll be around the whole day, so I’m sure I’ll meet someone new.”
 
“My phone was blowing up the whole week with people excited for this day,” said Matt Donahue, another Westwood alum. “It’s always a good experience, and I’m excited to be here.”
 
“It’s important because I have kids that play Westwood athletics, and I want to support the town and the athletic program,” said Rich Granata, whose daughter, Katherine, is a freshman on the Westwood softball team.
 
No event like this succeeds without the support of sponsors and local business owners, many of whom stay connected with their alma mater.
 
“It’s great to come full circle and not be 20 states away,” said Evan Yarian, a Westwood alum and owner of Beacon’s Restaurant. “This helps us keep in touch and support each other’s businesses as well. Glad to be a part of it.”
 
Before the golfers headed out for the shotgun start, Mike Griffin addressed the group, taking a moment to remember Russ Downes, the legendary baseball coach who passed away in 2024.
 
“We’re in our forties now,” said Griffin shortly after the first shots were hit across the course. “We need to get some fresh blood and younger blood – the 2000s – so we can keep this thing rolling and pass it off to the next generation.”
 
Someday that will happen, but for now, the event is in good hands.