On Monday, May 6, ľֱ’s Aid welcomed golfers back to the prestigious Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey for our 25th Annual Golf Classic. Despite a threat of rain, the weather held and temperatures warmed, creating comfortable conditions for a great day on the links for our dedicated friends, supporters, and corporate partners.
This year we welcomed 108 golfers, who together raised more than $420,000 (and counting!) for our essential programs and services.
Following tournament play, our golfers gathered for an intimate cocktail reception where they heard from Phoebe Boyer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ľֱ’s Aid, and Bruce Beck, Emmy-award-winning lead sports anchor at NBC Channel 4. As emcee and auctioneer, Bruce brought his captivating presence and positive energy to the room, driving generous support for ľֱ’s Aid.
Afterward, this year’s youth speaker, Benedicta Donkor, shared her story with guests. Benedicta is a junior at Fordham University and a ľֱ’s Aid scholarship recipient who has been involved in our programs since 2017. She credits her time in the Summer Youth Employment Program and our Hope Leadership Academy with laying the foundation for her future success by offering her a supportive environment, encouraging her potential, and equipping her with the skills she needs to succeed and thrive.
“The interactions and experiences I’ve had because of ľֱ’s Aid continue to set me apart from others,” Benedicta said. After recounting her recent accomplishments, including visiting Geneva, Switzerland, last month as a United Nations Youth Representative, she noted, “I feel like I can achieve anything, thanks to the people I met at ľֱ’s Aid.”
Benedicta's speech resonated deeply with everyone present. Her inspiring words, coupled with her impressive achievements, brought the entire room to thunderous applause. This moving testament exemplified the enduring impact of the ľֱ mission to empower young people to learn, grow, and become leaders of their own lives.
This year’s milestone event would not have been possible without the leadership and commitment of our host committee. Thank you to our generous Co-Chairs Mark Allen, Russel Hamilton, and Jon Harrington and Committee members Scott Alfieri, Christopher Brady, Clint Factor, Brad Gruby, Guy Kohles, Andrew Molloy, and ľֱ’s Aid Trustee Brad Silver. Their enthusiasm for the ľֱ’s Aid mission and the annual Golf Classic are what fuels this event’s success.
ľֱ’s Aid also extends a sincere thanks to all of our sponsors, especially our Champion Sponsor, founding sponsor of the Golf Classic, and long-time partner, Accenture; our Hospitality Sponsors, ArentFox Schiff and High Point Wealth Management; our Classic Sponsor, Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), Inc.; our Anniversary Sponsors, Brook Hill Properties, LLC, Janet and Jon Harrington, HUB International Northeast Ltd., Donna and Henrik Patel, and Rockborn Trucking & Excavation Inc.; and our Straightest Drive Contest Sponsor, Aston Martin Summit.
A big thank you to the Celtic Football Club Foundation for generously supporting our Youth Golf Clinic at the Golf Classic, where nine students from Curtis High School, our community school in Staten Island, were invited to participate in a golf clinic led by Baltusrol pros and connect with key ľֱ’s Aid leaders and supporters. We also want to express our deep appreciation for our member hosts Jon and Janet Harrington, whose unwavering support allows us to tee off at Baltusrol year after year.
Check out our growing gallery to see photos from this year’s event.
Many thanks, once again, to our community of supporters for their continued commitment to ľֱ’s Aid and for making our 25th Annual Golf Classic a special and memorable day. We hope to see you back at Baltusrol next May!
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Thanks to our auction sponsors: Scott Alfieri, W. Mark Allen, Anonymous, Bruce Beck, Brooklyn Boulders, Cadillac, Callaway, Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, Chipotle, City Winery, COTE Korean Steakhouse, Nicholas De Martini, Warren Dodge, Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom, Clint Factor, GiGi New York, Grand Central Watch, Brad Gruby, Russel Hamilton, Janet and Jon Harrington, Graham Hone, Ellen Jewett and Richard Kauffman, Linda Kao, Alan E. Katz, Greg Kerr and David Vaucher, Legal Sea Foods, Beth and Ira Leventhal, Murray's Cheese, Mutual of Omaha, New York Football Giants, New York Jets, New York Mets, New York Red Bulls, Jill and Brian Olson, James E. Patterson, Pound Ridge Golf Club, Rockborn Trucking & Exc, Inc., Eren Rosenfeld and Jack Dunne, Lauren Razook Roth and John Roth, Sand Cloud, Six Flags Great Adventure & Wild Safari, Smathers & Branson, SoJo Spa Club, SPYSCAPE, Toca Vez, Total Wine & More, Kelly Mahon Tullier, Verb Energy, Suzanne Waltman and Martin Friedman, and Winston Flowers.
Congratulations to this year’s contest and tournament winners:
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 4 Winner: Matt Taranto
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 9 Winner: Henrik Patel
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 12 Winner: Mike Altland (Hole-in-One)
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 16 Winner: Rich Stack
- 4th Place Net Winners: Peter Hannigan, Graham Hone, Keith Hone, Bob Persico
- 3rd Place Net Winners: Mike Altland, Jay Beasley, Joshua Intriligator, Rich Sosanie
- 2nd Place Net Winners: George Babitsch, Dennis Gannon, Robin James, Lou Turco
- 1st Place Net Winners: Peter D’Avanzo, Joe Foy, Ed Hammer, John Hannon
- 1st Place Gross Winners: Clint Factor, Brian Folkes, Tom Logio, Peter Mozzone
- Aston Martin Summit’s Straightest Drive Contest Winner: Glenn Yarnis
- Greenbrier Raffle Winner: Bob Persico
