First Annual Eric Holt Memorial Golf Tournament

Golfers take an obligatory group photo on the balcony overlooking the majestic 10th tee, Eric Holt’s favorite hole at the tournament. From left to right: Noah Ross, Fred Lacroix, Tyler Hendricks, Jin Hun Park, Mike Mickler, Franco Famularo, Andy Morris, and Mark Johnson.

On Sunday, September 1, 2013, eight friends of our late national treasurer of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) USA and beloved Unificationist brother Eric Holt gathered at the Rockland Lake State Park for the first annual Eric Holt Memorial Golf Tournament. Eric, being from Scotland, the sport’s fatherland, loved golf. The inaugural tournament featured team competition between a team from the “North” consisting of Franco Famularo, Fred Lacroix, Tyler Hendricks and Mike Mickler and a “Westchester” team featuring Noah Ross, Jin Hun Park, Andy Morris and Mark Johnson.

The competition was stiff, but in the end the Westchester home-team prevailed in the combined scoring. Fred Lacroix and Jin Hun Park tied for individual honors, both shooting 78’s on the 18-hole par 72 course. The others’ scores will best be remembered by them and Eric. Suffice it to say, there were more than a few “bogus” holes, as Eric liked to refer to bogeys. In fact, there were more than a few double and triple “bogus” holes.

A quick stop at a Nyack, NY Dunkin’ Donuts, Eric’s post-golf stop, prior to a memorial dinner. From left to right: Mike Mickler, Franco Famularo, Andy Morris, Fred Lacroix, Noah Ross, Mark Johnson, Jin Hun Park, and Tyler Hendricks.

The day was auspicious in a couple of additional respects. Kanae Holt, Eric’s beloved wife who prepared snacks for the players, pointed out that it was the 100th day since Eric’s Seonghwa [Ascension] Ceremony. It also gave participants the opportunity to reflect on the one-year anniversary of Father Moon’s passing into the spirit world.

Following the tournament, the teams took photos on the clubhouse balcony overlooking the majestic 10th hole, which was Eric’s favorite, then we made an obligatory stop for more photos at a nearby Nyack Dunkin Donuts where Eric frequently stopped before our group headed to the Palisades Mall for a memorial dinner. It is our hope that the Eric Holt Memorial Golf Tournament will expand in the future, even as a foundation for a legacy scholarship in his name. Until next year!