Charity Golf Tournament Still Has Openings

Space is still available for anyone interested in competing in a charity golf tournament June 22 to benefit three local charity organizations — two of which are located in Manchester.

The Manchester Area Conference of Churches (MACC), the Hockanum Valley Community Council (HVCC) and the Beth Sholom B’nai Israel (BSBI) Brotherhood will present the 15th Annual Todd Abitz Memorial Golf Tournament on Wednesday, June 22 at the Tradition Golf Club at Windsor in Windsor. Sign in begins at 8:30 a.m.; there is a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

The day’s events include 18 holes of golf (scramble format, best ball), brunch, a catered dinner, beer and soda all day, raffle prizes, a live auction and an appearance by UConn women’s basketball legend Kara Wolters, who will be the auctioneer and speaker.  The fee is $135 per golfer ($30 for dinner only).

Funds raised at the golf outing will be split equally among the three groups sponsoring the event; last year, each group took in around $4,400, according to tournament co-chair Spin Zucker, president of the BSBI Brotherhood.

So what has made this such a successful event for a decade and a half?

“We have a core group of volunteers who have put together the tournament for many years and a good solid core group of golfers and sponsors who every year are there to help,” said Zucker.

This charitable effort is named in honor of Todd Abitz, a Vernon resident who helped organize the golf tournament in its early days. He passed away suddenly 11 years ago at the age of 34, leaving behind his wife and two small children.

Abitz was instrumental in starting and sustaining the charity golf tournament, which benefitted the hungry, both locally and in Israel, according to the tournament flyer. Abitz was a popular and dedicated member of the B’Nai Israel Men’s Club, and he chaired the golf tournament in its infancy in 1998 and 1999.

B’Nai Israel, a Rockville-based synagogue, ultimately merged with Manchester’s Temple Beth Sholom about three years ago, according to Zucker, and is now known as Beth Sholom B’nai Israel (the combined faith community is located at 400 Middle Turnpike East).

After his passing, organizers wanted to keep Abitz’s giving spirit alive. “As a means of helping fund charitable Men’s Club causes, like ‘Mazon- the Jewish Response to Hunger,’ and the food pantry of Hockanum Valley Community Council and MACC Food Pantry, we are determined to honor [Abitz’s] memory by continuing to offer this annual golf tournament named … in his honor,” said organizers. “We are certain that Todd would be pleased at what’s transpired since his passing.”

After Abitz died, some of the funds raised through the annual golf tournament went to college funds for his children, according to Zucker, who has been helping organize the event for about four years.

“Two years ago his, his wife said, ‘Look, we’ve got enough money for college, so why don’t you guys use the funds for more community based things?” recalled Zucker.

Ultimately, the decision was made to team up with community charitable groups and split the funds raised equally. The BSBI Brotherhood partnered with MACC and HVCC. “They use their shares for their food banks and we use ours, some for our operating budget, but most of it goes to charity. We do a lot of local charity work,” explained Zucker.

The HVCC was clearly pleased with the results. “Last year was the first year HVCC joined with MACC Charities and BSBI Brotherhood and it was very successful for all three organizations,” notes its website.

The golf tournament is a huge help to MACC as well, according to Beth Stafford, the charity's executive director, not just in funding but in building new relationships and getting the message of MACC to the community. 

 "Last year the gift was $4,400," said Stafford. "It helped fund all of our emergency programs such as food, fuel, clothing and shelter assistance to our neighbors suffering from job loss, physical or mental illness and addictions." 

The charitable tournament next week could draw as many as 100 golfers and organizers hope to raise more money than last year. “We are always optimistic we’ll raise more,” said Zucker.  “Right now we are pretty much on target to be equal with last year. If as many people who promised to attend come and play, we will probably beat last year.”

Zucker said the event has a lot of new sponsors this year—hole sponsors and raffle sponsors—it didn’t have last year. “We have prizes for best net, best gross, longest drive, closest to the hole … all the typical golf tournament style things,” he noted.

A putting contest will be held and the winner will score an entertainment center, complete with a 55” TV, Wii (including games) and surround sound. Organizers are making sure no one will go home hungry as there will be a full buffet dinner that will include beef, salmon and chicken.

There will also be raffle prizes and a live auction. Zucker called the items that will be available “really, really good stuff.” He explained, “Chris Dailey, the assistant coach of the UConn women’s basketball team, donated three posters signed by everyone on the team.” The posters will be part of the auction.

Two basketballs—one autographed by Geno Auriemma and the other by Jim Calhoun—will also be auctioned off. In addition, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL hockey team has donated the use of a luxury suite, which holds 16 people, for one game. That will be another auction item.

There is a limit of four golfers per group. To register, contact Zucker at (860) 528-1672 or visit www.myshul.org and click on “brotherhood” on the left.