Another Score for our Students and Sisters!

The Sixth Annual Sisters of Mercy Golf Classic held on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at the Ardsley Country Club was another winning moment for our Sisters and Mercy Secondary Education. Despite a passing sprinkle or two, the day was rain free (thanks to the prayers of the Sisters), and golfers enjoyed playing a newly renovated golf course! In addition, we raised a gross profit of nearly $80,000 for the Sisters and students of Our Lady of Victory Academy in Dobbs Ferry and St. Catharine Academy in the Bronx!

Ninety-six golfers enjoyed a first-rate brunch buffet overlooking the majestic Hudson River before teeing off. The sloping greens provided a temporary home to 44 tee and green signs! And thanks to Hole-in-One Sponsor Westchester BMW, golfers were given the opportunity to vie for a Mini Cooper on hole #8 and a BMW 3-Series on hole #17. Both cars were offered as prizes to anyone scoring a hole in one. Hole spotters Sr. Rhea Bean, Melissa Bullock, Sr. Pat Vetrano, Sr. Margaret Kelly, Sr. Danielle Durante, Sr. Mary Gallagher, Barbara and Bill Symanko, Marco Markolovic, Judy Zehentner, Sr. Anna Jarkowsky and Bobbi Wittenberg cheered golfers on; however, no golfer experienced the perfect shot! Even though our spotters didn’t witness a hole-in-one, being a spotter did have its advantages – once relieved from their duty, Sr. Pat and Sr. Margaret Kelly were escorted back to the clubhouse…in a shiny, red beamer!

Were it not for the overwhelming support of local friends and businesses, who partner with us in our mission to lead, serve and touch the world with Mercy, events like this would not be possible. Who are some of these amazing people?

Committee member and Our Lady of Victory Academy alumnae JoMarie Pica of Manhattan and Susan Brooks O’Rourke of New Rochelle, New York signed on as Grand Tournament Sponsor for the third year in a row. Their sponsorship, identified as The Bernard William Brooks Memorial 2006, paid tribute to the memory of JoMarie’s uncle and Susan’s father, Bernard Brooks. We are witnesses to their passionate support for our mission.

Westchester BMW, a loyal supporter, was this year’s Tournament Sponsor. Tony Palmer, General Manager, and Jim Mickler, CFO, have been with us since we embarked on this journey six years ago.

Committee Member Glenn Diehl of Skyline Displays Manhattan was our Event Sign Sponsor and supplied all signs for the golf outing for the sixth consecutive year. He is truly heaven-sent! 

Many of our sponsors (and those who helped facilitate the sponsorships) are recognizable to us because they are a part of our Mercy family - and they hold a special place in our hearts.

Our Gold Sponsors included Allied Irish Bank (David Keating), Superior Heating and Cooling, Inc. (Andy Maucieri), Triad Group Claims & Management Brokerage – E Systems (Victoria Manes) and Polchinski Memorials, Inc. (Michael K. Ciaramella, Golf Co-Chair). Our Silver Sponsors included Cary’s Pharmacy (Joe Bova), Wealth & Joy Accelerated, LLC (Bill Angarano, Golf Co-Chair), Gerard B. Tracy Associates (Tim Tracy), Strategies for Wealth Creation & Protection (Sara Cogan) and the newest member of our Mercy family, the Skier Foundation (Henry Skier). And who could forget our loyal Table Sponsor, Elmwood Day Camp (Bobbi Wittenberg, Golf Committee Member)!

As the afternoon came to an end and evening began, Sisters of Mercy, golfers, and friends gathered on the main terrace for an open bar and dinner buffet, which included stations of clams on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, filet mignon and custom-made pasta dishes. Guests also placed their bids on various silent auction items, which included vintage-photo masterpieces of the casts of “I Love Lucy” and “The Godfather” as well as a baseball signed by Derek Jeter and a “Luxury Suite Experience for Four” at Yankee Stadium courtesy of the YES Network!

Golfers and dinner guests also participated in a prize raffle with more than two dozen prizes, including Titleist 735 CM Irons, New York Yankees and Mets tickets, designer sunglasses by Diesel and Juicy, spa and facial gift certificates, a larger-than-life basket of Italian meats and cheeses courtesy of Mike’s Deli on Arthur Avenue (Little Italy of the Bronx), tickets to LATE NIGHT with David Letterman and tickets to Broadway’s newest musical, Tarzan!

The winning first-prize ticket of the “I Love New York” raffle – a Broadway package for two, which included tickets to Spamalot, dinner at the China Grill and an overnight stay at The Crowne Plaza in Times Square – belonged to Kerry Voss. The second-prize ticket – a package for four, which included tickets to a New York Yankees game, dinner at the exclusive Stadium Club and a tour of Monument Park – belonged to Golf Committee Member, Melissa Bullock!

What makes our golf outing so popular? Perhaps it is because we provide something for everyone – golfers get to experience a round of golf at one of the world’s oldest and most distinguished golf clubs, while golfers and non-golfers get to take part in an evening of fine dining and exciting raffles (the view of the majestic Hudson River doesn’t hurt either!). While these are great reasons to support us, I believe the real reason we are successful is that our donors want to lend their support to a cause they believe in. They believe in the power of education, and they share our desire to make a difference in the lives of young women. So, let’s give thanks for another great achievement for the Sisters and students.

Please keep watch for information about the Seventh Annual Sisters of Mercy Golf Classic in 2007! To get on our Golf Classic mailing list please send an email to kpbehar@nymercy.org.