Ball benefiting Southern Yacht Club

Commodore’s Ball benefiting Southern Yacht Club

The Southern Yacht Club upheld the timehonored tradition of passing the flag from one commodore to the next.

By Shelby Simon

Since the 1849, Southern Yacht Club has hosted the biennial tradition of the Commodore’s Ball as a formal passing of the flag from one commodore to the next.

On February 5, Commodore Robert “Duff” Friend, in attendance with his wife, Jan, received the honor and commodore flag from Commodore Provensal. The former then received the past commodore flag in honor of his two years of leading the SYC through the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple hurricanes and signature victories in Gulf Yacht Association and the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, for which SYC is the only U.S. club to win twice. Commodore Friend also passed traditional flags to Vice Commodore Tim Molony and to Rear Commodore Rocky Sanchez. Many past commodores, flag officers and board members were also present.

The Grand Dining Room reception featured Andre and the Giants performing a variety of sailors’ favorite tunes, from Parrot Head classics to reggae. A delectable variety of food options on tables spanned the length of the room and a dessert station stood in the center. Gold balloon arches and dark blue fabric draped around the doorways. Tables throughout the room held floral arrangements set in some of the SYC’s most historic trophies, and the piano showcased photos of the Friend family. ✦

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EVENT AT A GLANCE

1 WHAT Commodore’s Ball benefiting Southern Yacht Club WHEN February 5

2 WHERE Southern Yacht Club

3 4

5 6

1. Jan Friend, Duff Friend, Richard Provensal, Angie Provensal 2. Nathan Adams, Timothy Molony, James Sanchez Jr. 3. Daniel Sullivan, Jay Kuebel, Christian Gambel 4. Bob Hughes, Mamsie Manard, Bob Kottler 5. Arthur Mann, Bill Wright, Julian Richards, Fritz Fromherz 6. Scott Sonnier, Jim Wade, Guy Brierre, Merlin Wilson