World War II veteran Bill Reiff and Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli. PHOTO PROVIDED

On a recent April day, 144 golfers met on the links of Shell Point in South Fort Myers with one aim; to raise funds for the local veteran programs of the Lee Coast Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli was the honorary chairman for this year’s outing. A former Blue Angels Demonstration Pilot, Sandelli greeted the golfers as they gathered for the event.

The opening ceremony honoring the nation’s military was capped off with a special recognition of the oldest golfer of the entrants: 1st Lt. Bill Reiff, 97, a decorated World War II P-51 Mustang fighter pilot and the proud holder of a 18 handicap!

At the end of the day the Lee Coast Chapter raised over $30,000 for its local veteran programs – Mission United 211 program; Hearts and Homes for Veterans projects; and scholarships for graduating JROTC cadets, along with veteran scholarships at FSW and FGCU, just to name a few.

This year’s event, the 7th Annual Mackenzie-Janes Tribute Golf Outing, was renamed to honor the 20-plus years of volunteer work by the MOAA’s former financial officer, Alex MacKenzie.

Next year’s event will also be held in April. For more information, visit moaafl.org/chapters/leecoast/