Tony Renna

Anita Bevins - Sports writer - Hometown News - Volusia Edition

When Father Lopez Catholic High School graduate Tony Renna went out into the world to make his mark, he took the fast track to success. The 26-year-old put his two decades of racecar driving experience to work for him and accelerated through the ranks to land a plum driving spot with the powerful racing team of Target Chip Ganassi.

The announcement came on Oct. 1, 2003. Exactly three weeks later, the race team made another announcement. Renna had perished in a test driving accident at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

In 2004, as a tribute to Renna, his alma mater renamed its second annual golf tournament fundraiser the Tony Renna Memorial Golf Tournament.

"It's an extreme honor to have our son recognized in such a way that people will always think of Tony and remember him for not only the great racecar driver he was, but the wonderful human being he was," his mother, Mary Renna, said. "We are very honored, and hope that Tony's life and his values can be an inspiration to other human being.

Each year, Father Lopez awards a student the Tony Renna Scholarship.

"At Father Lopez, they talk about Tony's qualities and his passion and his stick-to-itiveness in pursuing his dream. At the same time, he had high ethics and a great sense of humor and was a great friend. It is wonderful to know that those traits can be impressed upon other young people through Tony's name and Tony's memory."

The Indy Race League has done its part to keep Renna's memory, and to keep the tournament on track.

"The tournament is top notch," Father Lopez athletic director Quin Booth said. "Our big title sponsor is Target Chip Ganassi Racing. We also have Andretti Racing sponsoring the 7th tee and the 11th green. The Indy Racing League also came in as the driving range sponsor. So we are still getting a good pull from his racing community."

Sunday morning, a full field of 144 golfers will tee off at the Pelican Bay Country Club North Course in a 9:45 a.m. shotgun start. In addition to the main event, the tournament includes a sand shot contest, a putting contest and a viewing party for the final round of The Master's Golf Tournament.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit Father Lopez Catholic High School, the Tony Renna Scholarship Fund at Father Lopez and the Tony Renna Memorial Foundation.

bevins@hometownnewsol.com