Jack O’Keeffe Golf Classic

Around the turn of the twentieth century, Jack O’Keeffe was born on a farm along the southwest coast of Ireland. He spent his early adult years working wherever opportunity appeared, eventually moving to Liverpool, England, where he found steady work in construction—and discovered his lifelong love of golf. For the first time, Jack could afford to play the game that would bring him so much joy.

During World War II, Jack served in the British Army. When the war ended, he invested his severance pay in golf equipment and green fees, embracing the sport with passion and dedication.

In 1950, Jack traveled to San Pedro to visit his sister, who worked at Holy Trinity Parish. One look at the school and parish community was all it took—Jack decided to stay. He accepted a position as the school’s facilities custodian and quickly found something even more meaningful than golf: the children of Holy Trinity School.

Jack filled the campus with laughter and music. He sang old Irish songs while he worked, shared jokes, played the harmonica, and cheered loudly at every school sporting event—home or away. After games, he treated students to fresh-squeezed lemonade made from lemons he grew in his own backyard.

Even after retiring in his early 70s, Jack never stopped supporting Holy Trinity. At age 73, he entered a senior golf tournament and won with a score of 73. He remained an avid golfer until age 82 and a devoted friend of the school for the rest of his life.