Published September 15. 2026 03:11PM
One hundred area golfers teed off on a rain dampened Bethlehem Golf Club course Aug. 10 at Walla Gazoo, the longest running tournament in the Bethlehem area. It’s run annually by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Bethlehem Initiatives.
Senior vice-president Tammy Wendling says the tournament has been held for over 50 years.
Participants representing a variety of businesses and related interests compete, network, and enjoy a day of camaraderie on the links which features a hot dog lunch, noon shotgun start, round of golf, backyard BBQ for dinner, this year live music by Twelve String, raffles and tournament awards.
Award winners at the 2026 Walla Gazoo are:
• Longest Drive Male – Ernie Stiegler, SWBR
• Longest Drive Female – MaryAnn Federico, Viamedia
• Closet to the Pin – Steve Hildebrand, Penn National Insurance
• Pot of Gold – Kyle Gertz, Servpro Team Davis
• 3rd Place Foursome – Chris Gillis, Mike Rinde, Justin Yost, Jack Laubach from Hyatt Place/Hyatt House Allentown – Lehigh Valley
• Jack & Jill Foursome – Andrew Connor & Bill Smith from CHA Consulting, Inc. and Dan Walsh & MaryAnn Federico from Viamedia
• 2nd Place Foursome – Jeremy Brescia, Mike Miller, Kyle Gertz, Kerry Kulp from Servpro Team Davis
• 1st Place Foursome – Derek Wallen, Pat Cox, Ryan Verret, Lee Fiorni, from Lehigh Valley Printing
Chamber of Commerce staff encourage participants to purchase chances in various raffles.
A golfer registers with Chamber of Commerce staff.
Michael Miller of team ServePro Davis gets some practice swings in at an indoor simulated golf station.
press photos by dana grubbA group of golfers arrive at the bag drop station before heading inside to register.
In between a few raindrops, two golfers get some last minute putting practice in before the tournament kick-off.
Golfers in carts spread out across the Bethlehem Golf Course as they head to their starting holes.
Golfers Seamus Sillivan and Ryan Collins wave as they drive to their assigned hole.
Golfers Sam Moustafa, Bruce Oscavich, Mike Brady and Kyle Stelz are ready to tee off at hole 1.
