A Saturday-morning text became a tournament that has raised more than half a million dollars.
On September 28, 2026, the fairways of TPC Piper Glen filled with golfers for the 12th annual Bloody Marys on Five charity golf tournament, led by the Meck South Rotary Club. What began as a local tribute has, over its twelve years, passed $500,000 in total donations to the local community.
Born on the fifth hole
The tournament's origin is part of the neighborhood lore of hole No. 5 at Piper Glen. Steve Baune, a Rotarian and friend to many, lived along the fifth hole. On Saturday mornings he was famous for texting his inner circle a simple, celebratory message: "Bloody Marys on Five!" True to his word, he would leave a fully stocked table on his lawn so golfers could pull up in their carts and grab a drink as they played through.
Baune died of cancer in 2014. His fellow Rotary club members launched the first tournament that year to preserve his name, his generosity and his hospitality.
The 2026 edition
This year's gathering kept to Baune's definition of a good time. The event is known for its all-inclusive hospitality: breakfast and range drinks, an on-course lunch, a post-round banquet dinner, custom tee gifts and, naturally, Bloody Marys scattered across the course.
The purpose of the day was serious. Proceeds from the 2026 tournament went to three community organizations:
- Families Forward
- Feeding Charlotte
- Beds for Kids, an organization Baune supported personally as a board member, and which continues to receive the primary share of the tournament's fundraising.
Next year
With the final putts of 2026 dropped, the momentum for the 13th annual event is already building. Community members, companies and golfers who want to carry on Baune's legacy through sponsorships or foursome registrations can find event summaries and reserve future spots at birdease.com/BMO5.
This story appears in the October 2026 issue of Stroll Providence.