By Middletown, NY – The Paul Rickard Memorial Scholarship held its second annual golf outing on Monday, June 3rd. For the second straight year, the outing was held at the beautiful West Hills Country Club in Middletown, NY. Through registration fees, sponsorships, personal contributions, raffles and a silent auction the golf outing raised $78,500. This is an 11% increase from last year’s outing.
“Another great year in the books! We knew maintaining the level of support from last year’s outing was a tough task, but to actually increase the amount raised is mind blowing. This just shows how much SUNY Orange means to the community. My father would be blown away by the support” said Tom Rickard. “Without local businesses such as Healey Brothers, Hutchings Insurance, Arkel Motors, Murphy, Schisano & Rosado, Mediacom, MFS, Walden Savings Bank, President Container Group, Landel, Bernstein & Kalosieh, LLP, Northwestern Mutual and Pioneer Financial we would not have been able to put on such a great event.”
In total, 136 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day on the course with Equilibrium Brewery, Rita’s Italian Ice and Soons Orchard providing the refreshments. The outing included a scramble format with a longest drive contest, four hole-in-one contests, a hit the green contest, and closest to the pin contest. In addition to the golfers on the course, over 40 friends and colleagues shared a night out of cocktails and hors d’oeuvers.
The foursomes of Pat Schultz, Jim Steets, Anthony Angelucci and Chris Fandl and Brent Thomas, Dave Killin, Chris Mayo and Paul Talarico both tied for first place at 15 under par. Second place was taken home by the foursome of Jim Bannon, Eric Weinstein, Brad Johnson, and Joe Mackey. They each took home a gift certificate to the West Hill Country Club Pro Shop. Winner of the closest to the pin, Jim Bannon, and longest drive, Ed Songaila, took home gift certificates to the West Hill Country Club Pro Shop and a dozen Titleist Pro V1s. The most honest foursome went to Joe Rickard, Gerry Oakes, Mike Stiuso, and Chris Fallon. They also took home a dozen balls. The hole-in-one contests were sponsored by Mavrix Motor Sports with prizes consisting of a set of Calloway clubs, airline trip to the destination of the golfer’s choice, home generator and an ATV.
The night was highlighted by emcee Dan Rickard and a great tribute to Paul by his former colleague and friend Dr. John Cummins. Dr. Cummins and his wife, Fran, are no strangers to SUNY Orange. They both dedicated 40 years of their lives to teaching at the college. Dr. Cummins began his career at SUNY Orange in 1967. He retired from his full-time professor’s role in 2007 yet continued to serve SUNY Orange in a part-time teaching capacity. Prior to his retirement, he was chair of the Science and Engineering Department, a position he held at various times throughout his tenure at the College. Over the years, he was Paul’s greatest supporter and confidante. SUNY Orange would not be what it is today without people like Dr. Cummins.
The raffles and silent auction were the hit of the event.
Raffle winners had the chance to take home Army football and Yankee tickets along with signed memorabilia from Keegan Bradley, Phil Mickelson, Jon Rahm, Jason Dufner, Adam Scott, the New York Sack Exchange, Patrick Reed, and Sandy Lyle. The golf raffles did not stop there as there was also foursomes at High Point Country Club, Hickory Hill Golf Course, Otterkill Country Club and Stony Ford Golf Club. Their were gift certificates to great local restaurants, Delancey’s Restaurant, Tony Boffa’s Restaurant, Ferraro’s Bulls Head Inn Restaurant, Goshen Diner and Brother Bruno’s Pizzeria. This year also featured hair and makeup products from Cut Above and Comb Salon with great bags and products from Vera Bradley, Yankee Candle and Tory Burch. Our wine and spirit connoisseurs were able to leave with Bashakill Vineyards wine, Knob Creek Bourbon, a Tequila basket, and wine assortments from Main Street Wines and Liquors. Lastly, our tailgater aficionados could walk away with Yeti insulated wine cups and tumblers, Tourit insulated coolers, Navstar travel bag and an assortment of chowder and wine’s from Key West.
The silent auction was a another great success that included signed sports memorabilia from Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Paul O’Neill, Aaron Judge, Marcus Marriota and Bobby Nystrom along with two NY Giants tickets with on field practice passes. The auction featured two 4-night stays at Okemo Mountain and Topsham, ME. There was also a great home gift from Fine Paints of Europe. The package included design consulting from one of their experienced designers, paint and painters.
The Rickard Family truly appreciates all the support the scholarship has received over the past two years. Without all the great individuals, families and businesses we would not be able to put on this outing. We look forward to seeing everyone next year.
Below is a list of all our sponsors for this year’s event. Please support these great businesses.
Financial Services
Pioneer Financial
Northwestern Mutual
Hutchings Insurance Agency
Walden Savings Bank
MFS Investment Management
Automotive, Trucking & Sport Vehicles
Arkel Motors
Healey Brothers
Mavrix Motorsports
Mountainview Mustang
Law
Landel, Bernstein & Kalosieh, LLP
Murphy, Schisano & Rosado, LLP
Bonacic & McMahon LLP
Education
Dominican College
Minisink Valley Middle School
Minisink Valley Teachers Association
SUNY Orange Math Department
Hair & Beauty
Cut Above Hair Salon
Comb Salon Studio
Food & Grocery
Freedom Hill Farms
Kind Snacks UK
Mount Hope Country Store
Price Chopper
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard
ShopRite
Soons Orchards
Beer & Wine
Bashakill Vineyards
Equilibrium Brewery
Main Street Wines & Liquors
Dinning Out
Delanceys Bar & Restaurant
Ferraro’s Bulls Head Inn
Goshen Diner
Tony Boffa’s Restaurant
Equilibrium Brewery
Brother Bruno’s Pizzeria
Nick’s Pizza
Home, Business & Real Estate Services
Annie Hansen BHG Rand Realty
Fine Paints of Europe
Freeman Realty
Mediacom Communications
President Container Group
Randob Labs
ServPro of North Orange Country
Athletics & Entertainment
CrossFit New Hampton
Enchanted Balloon Tours
Hickory Hill Golf Course
High Point Golf Club
Main Street Music & Art Studio
Otterkill Golf Club
Stony Ford Golf Course
Stony Brook Basketball
SUNY Orange Athletics
Joe Condomitti
Charitable Organizations & Associations
The Ben Landel Foundation
Hudson Valley Light It Up Blue
Middletown PBA
