Dwares JCC Golf Classic breaks fundraising record

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After weeks of rain, the sun finally shone brightly on June 6, for the Jewish Alliance’s 31st Annual Dwares JCC Golf Classic. More than 100 golfers had a terrific outing at this year’s new tournament location – Alpine Country Club, in Cranston. They agreed that Alpine’s course lived up to its reputation as one of the state’s finest.

 

The event grossed more than $100,000 – a record high for the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island. Funds raised will be put toward programs and services housed in the Dwares JCC, such as PJ Library, J-Space after-school program, along with summer J-Camp and Early Childhood Center scholarships. The tournament was co-chaired by Rick Granoff and Jamie Pious, who headed a committee of Cindy Feinstein, Mehdi Khosrovani, Mayer Levitt, Rob Sherwin, Aaron Simon and Jeff Vogel.

Players were greeted with a swag bag at registration, and enjoyed a barbecue lunch before heading out to the course. D.F. Pray and NEMD Architects sponsored the tournament’s lunch and dinner.

After the round of golf was over, participants met inside the clubhouse for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a lively auction, emceed by Jewish Alliance President and CEO Jeffrey Savit. Auction prize winners included Pious, Norman Gordon, Sherwin,  Savit, and Will Tsonos.

Following the auction and dinner, Michelle Cicchitelli, vice president of Alliance programming, spoke about summer J-Camp at the Dwares JCC and the positive effects Jewish camp has on children and their families. Her speech was followed by a Fund-a-Need-style auction, where attendees gave money toward J-Camp scholarships that assist campers in having a life-changing summer experience. In total, Fund-a-Need raised $10,250 – creating an auction total of nearly $20,000 – another record for the Golf Classic.

Co-chair Pious was very pleased with the event. “I really want to thank the sponsors, the committee and the staff at Alpine Country Club for making this year’s tournament the best ever, and I’m already looking forward to next year. This tournament is truly a can’t-miss event!”

Co-chair Granoff agreed,  “The success of this great charity Alliance golf outing was the result of great committee teamwork, a well-run golf day at Alpine, along with superb food, and a well-run tournament. A record day of fundraising over $100,000 was the icing on the cake.”

The results of the day were announced during dinner:

•             The foursome winning low gross with a score of 68: Michael Savit, Rich Weiner, David Rosenblatt and Jay Shapiro.

•             The foursome winning 1st net for men with a score of 57: Mayer Levitt, Stephen Salloway, Ken Kirsch and Richard Licht.

•             The foursome winning 2nd net for men with a score of 58: Bob Kent, Jason Costa, Ed Thomsen and Henry Silva.

•             The foursome winning 3rd net with a score of 60: David Katzen, Norman Gordon, Stuart Schneiderman and Bob Loiselle.

•             The foursome winning 1st net for women or mixed groups with a score of 54: Michael Walker-Jones, Dan Hamel, Kristen Nicole Walker and Paul Nadeau.

•             The foursome winning 2nd net for women or mixed groups with a score of 60: Tom Humphreys, Richard Mittleman, Susan Kiernan and Scott Bielecki.

•             Winner of the straightest drive: Sheli Borges.

•             Winner of closest to the pin for men: Rich Weiner.

•             Winner of closest to the pin for women: Cathy Oresman.

•             Winner of the Hit the Green contest: Dave McShane.

Participants left the event pleased with the results. Jeff Brier said, “This was the best pace of play I’ve ever experienced at a charity tournament.” Cindy Feinstein also enjoyed the tournament. “Great day on the links ... can’t wait until the next Alliance golf tournament!” Attendees felt good about the whole day, knowing that they contributed to sustaining our local Jewish community.

HILLARY SCHULMAN is a development associate at the Jewish Alliance.