There was much to celebrate at this year’s Fifth Annual Sisters of Mercy Golf Classic, which took place Tuesday, May 10 at Ardsley Country Club. This event marked a milestone in the journey that began in 2001, when the Sisters of Mercy first dared to dream of hosting our own golf outing. Five years later, the journey continued as 121 golfers took to the course and spent a great day for a great cause.

The event raised more than $90,000 for the Sisters and Mercy Secondary Education, a collaborative initiative to improve educational opportunities for students at St. Catharine Academy, Bronx, NY, and Our Lady of Victory Academy, Dobbs Ferry, NY.

All this would not have been possible were it not for the continued generosity and guidance of Mercy friends and sponsors who wholeheartedly support our mission.

JoMarie Pica and Susan Brooks O’Rourke, Committee members and Our Lady of Victory Academy (OLVA) alumnae, signed on together as Grand Tournament Sponsor for the second year in a row. Their sponsorship, identified as The Bernard William Brooks Memorial 2005, paid tribute to the memory of JoMarie’s uncle and Susan’s father, Bernard Brooks. JoMarie and Susan have a particularly deep connection to OLVA, and their generosity has been an incredible gift.

Westchester BMW was this year’s Tournament Sponsor, and, thanks to General Manager Tony Palmer, we have benefited from BMW’s friendship and support since we began this journey five years ago.

Committee Member Glenn Diehl of Skyline Displays Manhattan, also one of our biggest supporters, supplied all signs for the golf outing for the fifth consecutive year. He is truly heaven-sent! 

Other major sponsors of this event included Allied Irish Bank, Monaco Brokerage Corporation, Superior Heating and Cooling, Triad Group Claims & Management Brokerage – E Systems, Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Wealth & Joy Accelerated, and Cary’s Pharmacy. We are so thankful for their efforts, as well as the efforts of all of our sponsors.

The evening gave way to an open bar and grand buffet on Ardsley’s panoramic terrace overlooking the Hudson River. Friends, sisters, and staff enjoyed stations consisting of tenderloin of beef, chicken with ginger sauce, roasted salmon, and a variety of pastas, as well as scrumptious side dishes and delectable desserts.

During the evening remarks, Sr. Rhea Bean, RSM, reminded us that when Catherine McAuley was asked to write an account of the early history of the Sisters, her opening line was: “It began with two…” In many ways we could say that this golf outing also began with two. Co-Chairs Bill Angarano and Jack McArdle said “yes” to an invitation to lead us in this golf outing five years ago and have never looked back. In honor of their five-year commitment to the Sisters and Mercy Secondary Education, Sr. Pat presented each “Chair Extraordinaire” with his own caricature commemorating five years of support.

Golfers and dinner guests participated in a prize raffle with more than two dozen prizes, including RAC LT Steel Irons, New York Yankees and Mets tickets, passes to the New York Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo paired with lunch certificates courtesy of Mike’s Deli on Arthur Avenue (Little Italy of the Bronx), a $200 gift certificate to Heathcote Tavern, tickets to LATE NIGHT with David Letterman, and tickets to the Westchester Broadway Theatre.