By Sarah O Donnell

With what may have been a record number of teams signed up to participate, the Annual AIA Vermont Guy W. Teschmacher Memorial Golf Tournament players took to the greens at Sugarbush Resort on Thursday, September 20^th for a fun filled day.  That record number- 18 teams, played the course at a variety of skill levels, with some serious golfers who would take home top scores, as well as the more recreational players who are in it for a beautiful day spent with colleagues and friends in support of a good cause. 

Proceeds from the tournament benefit the H. N. Williams Scholar Recognition Fund & AIAVT’s Emerging Professionals Network Programs. Scholarships are awarded to promising students at Norwich University and Vermont Technical College as well as Vermont high school seniors accepted into collegiate architecture programs. The event is named to honor the memory of Guy Teschmacher, an active AIAVT member, lifelong golfer, and an architect at Black River Design. Keith Robinson of Black River Design paid tribute to Guy’s memory with a few words before players took to the course. “Guy was a passionate person, a great colleague, and a dedicated architect. He loved what he did and shared it with young people by speaking at schools and mentoring younger architects. This event is a great way to honor his memory every year, and support the students who will be the future of our profession.”

The Golf Committee members were kept busy throughout the day, running registration, organizing teams, welcoming players, and handing out goodie bags. John Dale, AIA, Breadloaf Corporation, along with Catherine Lange, AIA Associate, and Diem-Chi Nguyen, Guillot Vivian Viehmann did a fantastic job of coordinating a smooth event.

The stunning backdrop of pre-peak foliage dotted Sugarbush’s 360 degree views, but the competition was on and players were not to be distracted. The first place prize was awarded to the team of Bob Betz, Pella Windows & Doors, Adam Poplinski, Country Club of Vermont course superintendent, Tucker Fassino, Beacon Hill Builders, and Sam Scofield, Sam Scofield Architect. Betz also won men’s long drive and Scofield the putting contest after going head to head with Keith Robinson, Black River Design. Rebecca Arnold, Arnold & Scangas Architects, won women’s longest drive. Second Place overall went to Daniel White’s team, which included Will Masson, Fred Barber and Tom Higgins, while third place was taken by the Breadloaf team, including golf committee co-chair, John Dale, along with Todd Nebraska, John Johnston, and Tom Loyzelle. 

Players celebrated the end of a challenging course with wood fired pizzas and local brews in the Sugarbush club house. This year’s event generated several thousand dollars for the Hanne Williams Scholar Recognition Fund, which couldn’t have been achieved without the much appreciated support from Underwriter, Window & Doors By Brownell, and our Birdie Sponsors: DEW, Crown Point, and Axis Lighting, as well a host of other sponsors and contributors. AIAVT is deeply appreciative to everyone that helped grow the Scholar Recognition Fund this year. Special thanks to Guy’s son, Alex Teschmacher, for his graphic design services, and to Michael Hoffman, AIA, for volunteering as our event photographer.