Ketcho Annual Golf Outing Continues to Grow

What started out as a small group consisting of three Hasbrouck Heights fathers and their sons spending a day at the golf course has now turned into an anticipated annual event which is growing larger and larger each year.

About 40 participants took part in the 4th Annual Ketcho's Father Son Golf Classic this year. Kevin Ketcho, who founded the event, said this was the most successful year yet and is already gearing up for next year. He hosts the event at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort each year at the end of June. This year the event generated funds which were donated to the Carl Inserra Leukemia Fund and he plans to turn this event into an annual fundraiser.

The whole essence of the event is father and son bonding, he explained. When his sons, who are now 21 and 20, were getting ready to graduate high school a few years ago, Ketcho thought it would be a nice idea to get together with his boys on the golf course so they could spend the whole day together. Ketcho lost his father when he was just 26 and then his father-in-law, who became a surrogate father to him died before his sons were born.  He always wished he had more time with them.

He and his sons were joined by good friends Ed Hohnecker and Neil Marchese, also from Heights, for the very first Ketcho father son and golf outing and they became what Ketcho calls “the founding fathers.”

Over the years that followed, Ketcho continued to get fathers and sons to join them at the resort for the annual outing. The event is open to all fathers and sons whether they like to golf or not. "It’s just a way of getting together and spending some good bonding time," he said.

As part of the event, Ketcho hosts a big barbecue for all the attendees at his time share at the resort.  Thanks to the sponsorship he received from so many businesses in the Heights community and surrounding area they were able to give away $2,200 worth of prizes this year.

He particularly pointed out the generosity of the Shop Rite in Lodi which donated several hundred dollars worth of food for the barbecue. He is grateful to all the various shops in Heights who sponsored  the event such as Hasbrouck Heights Pizza, HairTrendz, the Ivy Inn, Bensi Restaurant, BeJay Drugs and Houlihans. Ketcho said Minuteman Press also contributed by printing up a huge vinyl welcome poster for them to use at the event each year.

Area merchants also sponsored the event such as  Golfsmiths/GolfTEC Swing Evaluation, GolfGalaxy, Paul Meseck Golf Lesson, Landmark Inn, TGI Fridays, Al Di La Restaurant, Lite and Creamy Cheesecakes By Fred and the East Rutherford Jewelry Exchange.  Ketcho acknowledges all the sponsors because “they really make everything happen.” Thanks to them, he said, he was able to just raffle off, at no cost to the participants, prizes such as gift cards and golf lessons.

Ketcho said they gave away six legitimate awards for golfing such as ‘closet to the pin’ and six ‘silly’ prizes for those who don’t really take golf seriously such “ the farthest drive,” as in the commute to the resort.  “That way it’s fun for everyone,” he said.

Although the original participants mostly hail from Hasbrouck Heights, the event is getting attention from area towns and he foresees this growing into more of a northern New Jersey based event. He said he is so grateful for all the sponsorship he received this year from area businesses.

For the past four years the event has been held on Friday but starting next year it will take place on Saturday (June 23). Ketcho said it may cost more to host it on a Saturday but it will be easier for fathers and sons to attend.  He has tried to keep costs low over the years. Participants get to play 18 holes, use of golf cart, breakfast and a barbecue for less than half of what some golf outings may cost.

As he prepares for next year’s event, he said he is always open to other fathers and sons getting involved as he can use the help.

Ketcho teaches business and technology at Passaic Valley Regional in Little Falls and has been working closely with the education foundation and helps run a golf outing at the school as well.

“It’s all about father and son bonding, giving back and having a good time,” said Ketcho.