Most of this morning and into the early afternoon, the forecast for Bridgeport and the surrounding area was sketchy. Although the possibility of rain and storms was pretty well unanimous, the probability of when that would happen was less likely.

 

And once again, former Bridgeport High School Coach Wayne Jamison could have something to do with it. Jamison, who said last week he wasn’t sure if he was going to make it to today’s Mary A. Reppert, Wayne Jamison, Bob Reep Scholarship Golf Tournament, showed up and the tournament got underway at 1 p.m. Not surprisingly, the rain – which has only been a major factor once in the previous 17 years – held off to allow the field to start.

 

“Maybe I had something to do with it, but I was only able to control the weather on Fridays,” said Jamison.

 

For years, the mystique around Jamison and his winning teams also centered on weather always working to his team’s advantage. If the Tribe had an advantage in speed, then the thought was that the weather would be good and the field dry. If the Indians were playing a speedy team then the skies would open up and the fields – prior to artificial surface being the trend – would be a muddy mess.

 

BHS alum J.K. Alfred, a senior member of the 1979 Class AAA state championship team, said it’s hard to argue that Jamison didn't have some kind of magic. At least, Alfred said, when it came to the temperature and precipitation on game days.

 

“He always has a factor on the weather and I’m not buying that he can’t control it on Thursday,” said Alfred, who Jamison antagonized as being a “professional holder” during his playing days. “I believe he can control it any day of the week.

 

“We played in some pretty bad weather in several games back when I played,” Alfred continued. “It seemed like he would just call the weatherman and the weather would be exactly as we needed it.”

 

Whether the weather cooperates for everyone to get in 20 holes today at the 18^th Annual Bridgeport High School Alumni & Friends Foundation tournament is unknown. What is known, however, is that the 20 teams that were part of the large field at the Bridgeport Country Club will raise more than $5,000 for scholarships for graduates of the BHS Class of 2016.

 

“This is certainly something worthwhile. Anytime you can provide scholarships to kids it’s a good thing,” said Jamison.

 

Jamison was also pleased that the tournament, for the first time, has the name of Bob Reep added to it. Reep, who was the brainchild behind the event beginning and worked diligently to make it a success, passed away in 2012.

 

“It’s good to add anyone’s name to this that has been instrumental in it being successful. I knew Bob, I actually have known the whole family, for years,” said Jamison. “This is a good thing.”

 

The event included a silent auction. There were also hole sponsors and following golf will be a steak dinner. It is the only fundraising event done to produce the funds needed for the three scholarships. 

 

Check out the gallery below for dozens of photos.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Wayne Jamison, center, sharing a laugh with BHS Principal Mark DeFazio, left, and BHS Football Coach Josh Nicewarner.