For the 13th consecutive year, members of the Erie community came together at Lake Shore Country Club for the Patrick J. DiPaolo Memorial Scholarship Golf Classic, an event that continues to honor the legacy of a beloved educator and coach while supporting local student-athletes.
The tournament sold out with 144 golfers taking part to raise money for the scholarship fund established in DiPaolo’s memory.
“It really comes down to we are supporting student-athletes,” said event organizer Michael Romeo. “We are having a tremendous amount of support not only from the golfers but the community in general. The businesses, the families, the patrons — so many people contribute to keeping this tournament going.”
Each year, the scholarship fund awards ten $1,000 scholarships to Erie County student-athletes.
“I think it’s a testament not only to who Patrick was, but just the fact that we have kept his memory alive,” said Romeo. “Through so many family contacts, friends, family, coworkers, there are a lot of people here. It’s funny, every one of these golfers knows each other. I think it speaks to the Erie community in general. We’re really happy everybody comes out.”
DiPaolo was a 1987 graduate of Cathedral Prep, where he was a three-sport athlete competing in football, wrestling and baseball. He continued his athletic career at Thiel College before beginning his career in education after graduating from Thiel and Edinboro.
DiPaolo went on to become a teacher in the Erie School District.
He passed away in 2013 after a battle with Lyme disease.