Saturday marked a major milestone for the PS3 Ronald A. Gill Jr. Memorial Scholarship Foundation’s annual golf tournament.

The foundation has hosted the event for 10 consecutive years, helping to raise money for college scholarships and turning a tragedy for one family into a better future for so many others. The foundation has given nearly a quarter of a million dollars in scholarship money over the decade since PS3 Ronald A. Gill Jr. was tragically killed in a Coast Guard training incident.

The temperature on Saturday was nearly 100 degrees, but the heat did not stop more than 100 golfers from participating in the annual event. Several of Gill’s shipmates travel to Rhode Island each year from as far away as Anchorage, Alaska, in order to take part.

Shaw’s of Cranston sponsored a luncheon prior to the tournament, and a full dinner and program took place at the conclusion of the event. Herb Chambers of Seekonk donated a 2016 Honda Accord as one of the tournament prizes, and sponsored the insurance for the $10,000 hole-in-one prize as well, a prize that was won by a golfer several years ago.

Mayor Allan Fung welcomed the guests and thanked the Cranston Country Club for hosting the event each year, and thanked the participants for joining the Gill family and making a difference for the community.

“I’m very proud to be here once again for this 10th annual golf tournament,” he said. “It’s one of the Gill Foundation’s biggest fundraisers each year, and it’s nice to see the same faces coming back year after year, and more new faces joining in every year. The Gill Foundation has kept Ronnie’s memory alive, and I know many of you have come from near and far to make sure that we all keep Ronnie’s memory alive right here in his home city. Most importantly, the foundation keeps his legacy and all of his memories alive for the next generation.”

Jonathan Gill, younger brother of Ron Gill Jr., addressed the crowd with his young daughter, A’driana, by his side.

“I’d like to thank everybody for coming out. This is something that is extremely important to us and always has been,” he said. “To look at what we’re looking at, after 10 years of golf tournaments, is way beyond anything we ever expected to accomplish. A big special thank you to those guys who have traveled from all over the country, especially to Ronnie’s shipmates for coming out each year and sharing stories that we never, ever get tired of hearing. Thank you guys very, very much for being here.”

Just before the golf carts pulled away, a moment of silence was held in Gill’s honor. 1

KEEPING THE MEMORY ALIVE:

Mayor Allan Fung addressed the crowd on behalf of the city of Cranston, thanking guests for helping to keep Ronnie’s legacy alive. (Herald photos by Jen Cowart) 2

MEANS SO MUCH:

Ron Gill Jr.’s younger brother Jonathan thanked the participants for helping to accomplish more than the family and the foundation ever dreamed possible. 3

HONORING RONNIE:

A moment of silence was held in PS3 Ronald A. Gill Jr.’s honor prior to the start of the tournament. 4

WORTH THE TRIP:

Ronnie’s shipmates Sheldon Bond, Joshua Yarger, and Rob Cook traveled in from Alaska, Ohio, and North Carolina, respectively. They are seen here with Ron Gill Sr., Jonathan Gill, and Mayor Allan Fung. 5

THEY’RE OFF:

Dozens of carts filled with golfers pulled away after the opening ceremonies to begin an afternoon of golfing. A full dinner and program took place following the tournament.