Ray Stosik
Giving to the community through the Sony Open

by KAWENA CHUN
Sun Correspondent
Archived February 2008 article

The SBS Open is held at Turtle Bay and is a golf tournament for professional female golfers that have played on the LPGA Tour. SBS, which stands for the Seoul Broadcasting System, is one of the four major television and radio networks in South Korea, and the tournament title sponsor of the event.

Ray has been very busy wrapping up the Turtle Bay Championship and preparing for the LPGA tour. The LPGA tour commences in the second week of February and is the oldest ongoing women's professional sports organization in America. “I really enjoy the people. I've been here almost 30 years, and I enjoy the aloha spirit. A lot of people talk about it, but I see it every day. Coming out to Turtle Bay - the people here that work in this resort have so much aloha, for not only our company but also for the professionals and TV crews. It allows them to relax a bit and take a deep breath. The staff here just exudes aloha. I enjoy the people of Hawaii, they've been so kind to me and my family and to everybody that comes to the state," said Ray. However, it's sad to say that the Turtle Bay Championship may be on its last year, unless they get a title sponsor. They are asking for support to keep the championship running.

All three of these golf events work hand-in-hand with the Friends Club, an organization that supports fundraising efforts for charities. According to Ray, “We get to meet not only professional golfers on all three tours, but a lot of celebrities that come and play at the events. Most importantly, we get to raise money for charity, for women and children's causes. That's what's most exciting: to be able to give back to the community through our events." So far, these golf events have raised over 1 million dollars that have been donated to a total of about 114 non-profit charities.

Not only are the golf tournaments boosting Hawaii's economy, they also help facilitate a healthier and happier community through their work with Hawaii's non-profit charities. By sponsoring these events, money is being driven to help these non-profit charities stay alive. If any individuals or local sponsors would like to take part in any of these events, you can participate by calling (808) 792-9300 or visit the webpage at www.friendsofhawaii.org.

Stosik is a very accomplished athlete. In Michigan, at his high school, Catholic Central, Ray was an All-American and his record still stands at 38 points scored in one game. In his professional basketball career, in Denver for the Pro-Am League, he still holds the record for 63 points scored in one game. “I had eight brothers and sisters in our family, and we were rather poor. Sports was a means for me to get a college education, because our family wouldn't have been able to afford for me to go to school," said Ray.

He then went to Europe to play basketball professionally from 1972-1977. He towers at 6'5'' and was one of the taller guards at that time. During his eight-year basketball career, which is quite long for a professional athlete, Ray experienced a knee injury. Like they say, blessings sometimes come in disguise, because this prompted Ray to retire to Maui in 1977. There, Ray met Mark Rolfing, who is a well-known sports personality. He has his own television show on the Golf Channel called “Mark Rolfing's Golf Hawaii." At that time, Rolfing's company, Rolfing Productions was producing a college basketball tournament called the Maui Classic. Ray was asked to be involved because of his vast basketball background. Stosik started working for Mark on the basketball side of the business and eventually his career gravitated towards golf. According to Ray, “In 1998, my wife and I purchased Mark Rolfing's company and we started doing golf tournaments ourselves. We're still working in golf today. I have the luxury of working in golf, working for charity, and living in Honolulu. I get to enjoy everything that Hawaii has to offer."

Stosik loves living in Hawaii. A natural-born athlete, he stays active working out at the gym, riding his bike, and body surfing at our famous Sandy Beach. Ray said, “Being raised as an athlete, I enjoy Hawaii and its clean air and natural beauty because I like to exercise a lot. There is no excuse for being overweight in Hawaii, because I think everyone has plenty of opportunity to exercise. That's one of the things I love about this state." Ray resides in Kahala with his family. “I love living in Kahala. (Where I live) it's like living in the country and it only takes a couple of minutes to get to work."

Ray gives advice to future athletes who are hoping to continue their career in sports, professionally, “I would highly recommend anyone today to get your education first and if you're good enough to play collegially or professionally, just look at it as a blessing."