The Excelsior Springs community recently came together for a special golf tournament in support of the local high school football team. Held at the Excelsior Springs Golf Course, the event was named the 1st Annual Vic Bonuchi Golf Tournament in honor of one of the town’s legendary coaches, whose influence has left a lasting impact on many Excelsior citizens.
Vic Bonuchi is widely regarded as one of the most prominent figures in Excelsior Springs’ sports history. His leadership in high school athletics, most notably coaching the football team to state championships in 1994 and 1996, has made him a household name. Over a career spanning more than three decades, Bonuchi earned numerous accolades, including induction into the Missouri Coaches Hall of Fame for both wrestling and football. He is not only a hall-of-famer in the sports community but also in the hearts of many former players and community members, known for his compassionate coaching style and genuine care for everyone he encountered.
Bonuchi’s involvement in this tournament held deep significance for the locals. Excelsior Springs High School’s new football coach, Jake Danneman, has already felt the enduring impact of Bonuchi’s legacy. When asked why the tournament was named in Bonuchi’s honor, Coach Danneman explained, “When I moved to town, I met people, and when I introduced myself as the football coach, one out of every three people I spoke to would tell me a Vic story.” This widespread influence made Bonuchi the ideal choice for a football-themed golf tournament in his honor.
With more athletes eager to contribute to Bonuchi’s legacy, the demand for equipment has increased. True to Bonuchi’s spirit, all proceeds from the tournament will go towards helping the Excelsior Springs football team acquire new helmets, gear, and a practice sled for the field.
On July 19th, teams competed in a four-man scramble, showcasing their skills in various challenges such as closest to the pin, long drive, and long putt across 18 holes. The day began with a Calcutta auction before the 1:00 pm shotgun start, setting the tone for an exciting day of golf.
After 18 holes, the final scores were tallied. In the A flight, the team of Dean Berry, Mike Jarman, Rodney Holt, and Tim Jarman emerged victorious with a score of 57. The B flight saw a four-way tie, but after a recalculation, it was determined that the McCoy team secured first place with a birdie on hole 17, finishing with a score of 64.
Vic Bonuchi and his family were able to attend briefly, expressing their gratitude for the new event named in his honor. To commemorate the inaugural tournament, a plaque was presented to Bonuchi, celebrating his commitment as a coach and his dedication to the community. The plaque bore the inscription, “A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life.”
Coach Danneman expressed his appreciation for Bonuchi’s involvement in the event, stating, “We were just hoping and hoping that he could be there because I really wanted to be able to give him that plaque and for his family to see their banner. Just to be there for that first inaugural one means a lot, especially since a lot of the players and alumni were there.”
Although donations from the tournament are still being counted, it has been confirmed that enough funds were raised to cover the new equipment needed for the start of the 2024 football season.
This golf tournament is poised to become a cherished town tradition, honoring the lasting legacy of Coach Bonuchi and supporting local high school sports. Year after year, the community will continue to recognize the generosity and kind spirit of Vic Bonuchi.
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