Former hockey star Joe Pavelski wins Drive Fore Kids tournament
Former NHL Star Joe Pavelski Wins Drive Fore Kids Golf Tournament in Falmouth
FALMOUTH — Joe Pavelski, a former NHL standout who spent the bulk of his career with the San Jose Sharks, won the Drive Fore Kids celebrity golf tournament on Sunday at the Falmouth Country Club, rallying from a fourth-place position after the opening round to claim the title with 40 points under the Stableford scoring system.
Pavelski, who also played for the Dallas Stars, finished one point ahead of runner-up Mardy Fish, a former professional tennis player and 2004 Olympic silver medalist. Fish had held the lead after Saturday's first round but was unable to hold off Pavelski's Sunday charge.
The tournament, held at one of southern Maine's well-known golf courses, drew a mix of professional athletes and sports personalities. Blair O'Neal, a former professional golfer who has transitioned into a television career, finished third with 37 points. Former MLS MVP Taylor Twellman was close behind in fourth place with 36 points, and Chad Pfeifer, the 2025 national amputee golf champion, rounded out the top five with 28 points.
Beyond the competition, the event carried a significant charitable purpose. Organizers announced that the tournament raised $210,000, which will be divided between two Maine-based beneficiaries: the Dempsey Center, a Lewiston-based organization that provides support services for people living with cancer, and the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's Hospital in Portland.
Pavelski was presented with a custom clock from Thomas Moser, the Maine-based furniture maker, in recognition of his victory. The event was organized by Shamrock Sports & Entertainment.
The Drive Fore Kids tournament has become a fixture on Maine's summer charitable sports calendar, drawing both high-profile athletes and local supporters eager to contribute to the cause. This year's edition continued that tradition, blending celebrity competition with substantial fundraising for two organizations serving some of the state's most vulnerable residents.
Additional details about next year's tournament were not immediately available.
