Rockland YMCA Golf Outing Raises $10,000 for Youth Scholarships

Thursday morning, members and friends of the Rockland County YMCA teed off at the 6,517-yard, par 72 course of Philip J. Rotella Memorial Golf Course in Thiells. Breakfast was served, courtesy of Hon. Howard Phillips & The Town of Haverstraw, leaving the golfers ready to take on the sunny day. A lighthearted and fun spirit filled the golf course, since all the golfers knew they were playing for something greater.

“Thank you for spending the day and bringing the good weather” said Julie Prevost, Chair, YMCA Board of Directors, at the golf reception. “Your importance, there are no words to describe it, and with your help, we were able to surpass our goal of $10,000 for youth scholarships.”

“The goal of the golf outing is to bring together members of the Y and friends to enjoy a day of golf and support our summer camp scholarship programs” said Chuck Maze, Chief Executive Officer, Rockland County YMCA. “It was a very successful event with the largest turnout of over 50 golfers and raised more than $10,000.”

“AEROPOSTALE, Key Construction and Town of Haverstraw are some of our key sponsors” said Beth Bate-DuBoff, Benefit Committee. “Thanks to the sponsors a large percentage of the proceeds will be able to go back to programming. The scholarships are for families of low income; there are several different camp programs in the county. This golf tournament provides financial support to families so they can attend these programs.”

$5 Mulligins were available to provide a do-over for any hole and Craig Schultz was the Hole-In-One sponsor. T-Sponsorships were located at each hole and a silent auction brought in additional revenue for the YMCA.

“Very nice, very enjoyable event, for a good cause of course,” said  Peter Scheibner, golfer.

“My golf game, exceptionally mediocre,” said Ray Coyle, golfer. “The event is great and I came for the Y.”

“The event is always fabulous, a perfect day. Raise funds for needy, needy kids, which guides them in the right direction,” said Julie Prevost, Benefit Committee, golfer. “Rockland County is a great county that loves to give back to the community.” 

Among the golfers were Joe Cassarella, Benefit Committee, who is also know as Coach Cassarella, the Athletic Director at North Rockland High School for 45 years. 

“It’s a great charity, tremendous organization,” said Cassarella. “Chuck played with us years ago, and he is a great directing force for the Y. If you look at the YMCA mission statement it is an education mission statement, and hopefully it can get more involved with North Rockland. I’m on the committee and I have come before to different fundraisers; it's fun and good to know that your money is going to something positive.”

Cassarella played in a golf foursome with Dennis O’Sullivan, North Rockland alumni and former Jets football player.

“My golf game was horrible, but I had a lot of fun today,” said O’Sullivan, Benefit Comittee. “Rockland YMCA helps a lot of kids in a lot of different areas.”

In addition to supporting the YMCA, O’Sullivan runs Two Towns Charity, which was a T-Sponsor for this event.

“Two Towns Charity helps kids in the North Rockland community achieve a sense of normalcy. We have handed out everything from winter coats to shoes to hearing aids to sending kids to day camp; we do a small part to help kids in this community," said O'Sullivan. Learn more about this non-profit at 2towns.org.

“We have a new day camp in North Rockland which is serving children from North Rockland, Nyack and other communities in Rockland” said Maze. “We appreciate the generous support of all golfers/sponsors. In the past two years, we have established eight YMCA programs in cooperation with North Rockland schools and the community, which are serving over 250 children and teens per year.” 

“One of the reasons we chose to do a golf outing in North Rockland is because the strategic goal is to expand programs through this community” said Bate-DuBoff. “Long term goal is to extend programs and have facilities in North Rockland so right now we are looking for partnership with existing programs to collaborate with and many are in effect already. We are currently working with the school district and the Haverstraw Center.”

“I have been working with the YMCA for a couple of years, since '05, haven’t been fired yet,” joked Charlie Jenks, Benefit Committee. “I enjoy helping with YMCA youth programs and also North Rockland sports Hall of Fame. Raising money for scholarships is always great and usually the golfers do it for the charity.”

“This is my way of giving back, but I couldn’t play, I had to work” said Chuck Snyder, Chair, Benefit Committee. “I’ve been doing this for three years and the Y does wonderful things for the youth of the community. The YMCA is nothing but a win-win for the community, most communities will knock the door down to have one.”

“I would tell people to join the Y; there are a lot of activities, athletics, teen programs. Good, clean, fun” added Snyder.

Check out all the Rockland County YMCA has to offer at www.rocklandymca.org.

Interested in volunteering or making a donation to youth scholarships? Contact Chuck Maze (845) 358-0245 EXT 310 cmaze@rocklandymca.org