Cathy Perfect-Kern Valley Sun

The 1st annual Doug Halloran Scholarship Golf Tournament, held Saturday at the Kern River Golf Course, was a hit that  exceeded what we wanted or expected, according to Owen Wright, one of the masterminds behind the event. Although the final figures had not been tabulated at press time, Wright said  We raised enough to give $1,000 scholarships to a boy and a girl. Halloran died in June 2005 and since then, many of his friends and family have been quietly working to organize an event that would benefit  deserving high school seniors and incorporate Halloran s love of golf.  We re just really pleased with how it went, said Hazel Halloran, Doug s wife of 52 years.  Golf, that was Doug s realm. He spent a lot time on the golf course and for Doug, it was always,  Everything is for the kids.  The tournament drew 67 entrants, who paid $50 each to support the scholarship drive.  I was glad to be involved, Wright said.  With Doug being so involved in the school district for such a long time, it was really nice to put his name on the tournament and create a scholarship fund. Ed and Wendy Snodgrass offered a free 2007 Ford 500 to the player that made a hole-in-one, a fete that Marla Melgren almost accomplished when one of her drives hit the pin and bounced away from the hole. First place prize money of $500 went to Barbara Harper, Coneger Villani, Derek King and Daniel King. According to tournament rules, kids who participate receive trophies in lieu of cash. Second place, worth $300, went to Bob Bunch, Mark Stewart, Steve Bechtel and Jonathan Bechtel. Hal Chelander, Dave Boyd, Nancy Boyd and Zac Boyd took third place and the $200 prize.  I wanted to be involved,  said Wright.  Doug was my 8th grade teacher. He was best man at my wedding. He was my best friend. Wright added,  I knew where the money was going, a sentiment shared by the participants as well.  We re not looking for just straight-A students, he said.  We re looking for a student who works and needs the money to go on with his/her education. Halloran moved his family to Lake Isabella in 1963 and started teaching at Kernville Elementary, which is now Woodrow Wallace Elementary. He was hired by then-Kernville Union School District Superintendent Woodrow  Woody Wallace. Halloran taught there for four years and when Kernville Elementary School was built, Wallace sent him there to serve as principal and teacher for one year. Halloran then returned to Wallace Elementary School and was acting Superintendent/Prinicpal for a short time. He went on to become the full time Principal at Wallace Elementary and then KUSD Superintendent. In 1992, after 30 years in the field of education, Halloran retired. However, his retirement was short-lived when Superintendent Christine Frazier asked for an early release from her contract to take a position with Kern County Superintendent of Schools office and Halloran agreed to come out of retirement and served as KUSD Superintendent for six months.

þ Left to right: Foursome Wendy and Ed Snodgrass and Sandy and DeRay Bolen take a break during Saturday s 1st annual Doug Halloran Scholarship Golf Tournament.