Mazzie golf tourney honors JHS legend, celebrates two student-athletes

Samantha Mazzie (center) presents Logan Martins and Lauren Dixon with the annual Gary Mazzie memorial scholarships for their performance on the field, in the classroom and impact on the community. Gary Mazzie was a longtime teacher and athletic director at Johnston High, and the annual golf outing in his honor raises funds toward the JHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Submitted photos

Pictured above are Gary Mazzie’s three daughters (from L to R) Samantha Mazzie, Kira Mazzie and Becky Ansaldi. In back are two of Gary Mazzie’s grandsons, Zachery Mazzie-Smith and Cooper Ansaldi. These family members along with the JHS Athletics Hall of Fame committee have been vital in the tournament’s annual success.

Ron DeFusco checking into the tournament. A member of the first class of JHS Hall of Fame inductees in 2011, DeFusco now serves on the Hall of Fame Committee and plays in the tournament every year.

Posted Tuesday, June 24, 2025 11:00 pm

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Many local golfers celebrated and competed in the annual Gary Mazzie Memorial Golf Tournament, adding another big year to its continued history as one of the town’s most beloved sporting events.

The Mazzie golf outing is held at Valley Country Club and is organized by various members of the Mazzie family as well as returning contributor John Graham, who is a member of the Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame committee. The tournament is the lone fundraiser for the JHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony as well as the Mazzie scholarship, which goes out to two graduating seniors.

Mazzie was a longtime teacher, coach and athletic director at JHS and was pivotal in establishing the athletic hall of fame back in 2011.

Thanks to many perennial supporters, the tournament field filled quickly once again, and thanks to their contributions, along with a generous donation to the tournament from Laborers’ International Union of North America, the Hall of Fame committee was able to present $1,000 scholarships Logan Martins and Lauren Dixon. Mazzie’s youngest daughter, Samantha, handed the awards out to the two student-athletes.

“My dad certainly left his mark on this world, and in many hearts right here in Johnston. Being able to present an award in his name, and give back to student athletes who exemplify all that my dad stood for, is an absolute pleasure. I know he would be so pleased with our selections,” said Samantha at the ceremony.

Dixon has been a member of the track and field team as well as the tennis team for JHS. She has achieved high honors in the classroom and volunteers in the town, including playing guitar at the senior center. She plans on majoring is music and minoring in business at Rhode Island College.

Martins was a four-year wrestler for the Panthers and hit the 100-win mark this past year as he reached the podium once again at states. He has served as class president and volunteers his time at Johnston Youth Wrestling. He will be heading to the University of Southern Maine next year, where he will wrestle and study occupational therapy.