Children’s Aid returned to the championship greens at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey, on Monday, May 8 for our 24th Annual Golf Classic. We were joined by 124 long-time friends, valued supporters, and dedicated corporate partners for an unforgettable day on the links.
This year we raised more than $405,000 (and counting!) for our essential programs and services. The historic golf club – host to the upcoming KPMG Women’s PGA Championships in June – provided a fun challenge to all who roamed the course on the warm and breezy day.
Following play, our golfers enjoyed a cocktail reception where they heard from Georgia Boothe, Executive Vice President of Children’s Aid, and Bruce Beck, the Emmy-award-winning lead sports anchor at NBC Channel 4. As this year’s auctioneer, Bruce enthusiastically engaged with guests, motivating them to participate and generously support Children’s Aid for another record-breaking year.
Guests also heard from this year’s featured student speaker Mohamed Umar, a Mount Saint Mary College student and Children’s Aid scholarship recipient, who recounted his transformative experience at Bronx Career and College Preparatory High School. Umar began attending Bronx Prep, a Children’s Aid community school, as a junior after moving to the United States from Ghana. He shared how participating in Children’s Aid programs at the school eased his transition to a new country and prepared him for college and beyond.
“Adjusting to a new school and a new country was tough,” Mohamed said. “But after I met Lamine Gueye, a Children’s Aid mentor in my 6th period self-growth class, everything changed. Thanks to Children's Aid, I can pursue my dreams with more confidence and determination.”
Mohamed’s powerful words sparked immense applause and admiration from the crowd. His story illustrates Children’s Aid’s steadfast commitment to helping young people learn, grow, and lead.
“We surround our kids with all the support we have to offer. We are there with them every day,” Georgia said. “We are working to counter the barriers that keep kids from reaching their potential. And that means paving the way to a college education.”
While our success can be attributed to many, we wish to give a heartfelt thanks to our host committee. Thank you to our generous Co-Chairs W. Mark Allen and Russel Hamilton and Committee members Christopher Brady, Todd Egan, Clint Factor, Brad Gruby, Jon Harrington, Andrew S. Molloy, and Brad I. Silver. The committee’s leadership and commitment are what drive the success of this event each year.
Children’s Aid also extends a sincere thanks to all of our sponsors and foursome supporters, especially our Hospitality Sponsors ArentFox Schiff, Brook Hill Properties, LLC, and High Point Wealth Management; our Classic Sponsors Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA) Inc., and Glenn and Marcie Yarnis; our Putting Contest Sponsor KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Office; and our Straightest Drive Contest Sponsor, Aston Martin Summit. We also want to extend our deepest thanks to our generous member hosts and Champion Sponsors Jon and Janet Harrington who make our participation at Baltusrol Golf Club possible.
We also want to thank our in-kind donors whose names can be found here.
Lastly, congratulations to this year’s contest and tournament winners:
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 4 Winner: Mike Carbino
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 9 Winner: Kris Nielsen
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 12 Winner: Jim Donnelly and Henrik Patel
- Closest to the Pin Hole No. 16 Winner: Rich Keri
- 4th Place Net Winners: Arjun Bedi, Brian Johnson, Thomas Philipose, and Don Heiliger
- 3rd Place Net Winners: Doug Beaty, Joe Richardson, Jeff Ridha, and Nick Taylor
- 2nd Place Net Winners: Mark Allen, Robert Fassett, Ash Gulati, and Kenny Tiscornia
- 1st Place Net Winners: Matt Grabel, Bill Hurd, Matt Hurd, and Eric Schweder
- 1st Place Gross Winners: John Cowles, Jim Donnelly, Chris Schraft, and Greg Welch
- Aston Martin Summit’s Straightest Drive Contest Winner: Nick De Martini
- Pinehurst Golf Getaway Raffle Winner: Nick De Martini
Many thanks, once again, to all who have supported Children’s Aid and our 24th Annual Golf Classic. Check out our photo gallery. Make sure to save our tentative date for the Golf Classic’s 25th anniversary: May 6, 2024!
