2nd Annual Montalbano Golf Fundraiser Announced

The One Ball Two Strikes Greg Montalbano Golf Classic is scheduled to take place on Friday, September 23, at Highfields Golf and Country Club in Grafton. The fundraiser will benefit the Pediatric Activity Program Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The tournament is named for Westborough native Greg Montalbano, who lost his 13 year battle with cancer in 2009. From 2000 to 2006, Montalbano pitched for the Worcester Tornadoes and in the Boston Red Sox minor leagues. 

Montalbano conceived the idea of One Ball Two Strikes while receiving cancer treatment in October 2006. He had hoped to start a charitable golf tournament to help others battling the disease. 

“The structure of the tournament, including the name and logo, comes directly from the pages of Greg’s notebook,” said tournament organizer Patrick Fallon, Greg’s cousin and best friend. “Although Greg will never see One Ball Two Strikes come to fruition, those close to him are committed to make his dream and vision a reality.” 

The tournament, which features a scramble format, is open to the public. Registration is $125 per individual or $500 for a foursome and includes 18 holes of golf with cart, lunch, goody bag and dinner reception. 

This is the second year for the event. The inaugural One Ball Two Strikes tournament in 2010 raised $19,000 for the Catch-A-Dream foundation. 

Sponsorship opportunities are available and rang in price from $50 to $5,000. Companies currently signed on as sponsors include Independent Claims Service, Benjamin More & Co. and Dan’s Jeep Chrysler Dodge. Tournament organizers welcome creative sponsorship ideas, saying in a statement, “One Ball Two Strikes is the golf tournament that thinks outside the batter’s box.” 

More than 100 local companies, family members and friends supported the event last year by sponsoring lunch, dinner, pin flags, tee boxes, golf carts, the driving range and practice green as well as donating items for the auction and raffle. 

Tee-off for One Ball Two Strikes is scheduled for noon. Registration will take place at 10:30 a.m. For more information about One Ball Two Strikes, contact Patrick Fallon at 508-736-2701 or email info@1ball2strikes.org. More information is also available on the organization website.

Information courtesy One Ball Two Strikes.