The generosity of golfers and donors was abundantly clear at the 13th annual Cobleskill-Richmondville Education Foundation golf tournament, held Saturday, Sept. 9 at Cobleskill Golf and Country Club.
The tournament, C-REF’s largest fundraiser, welcomed nearly 70 golfers and raised more than $10,000 this year. The funds raised will help provide learning opportunities for C-R students through innovative projects that are supplemental to the school budget.
"No rain, generous golfers and sponsors, camaraderie, sportsmanship and enjoyment of an activity all culminated into an excellent golf tournament,” said Gayle Westervelt, C-REF Board of Trustees president. “The tournament was all we could have asked for and more. The exciting part is that the students of the Cobleskill-Richmondville school District are the ultimate winners."
Prior to the noon shotgun start, the inaugural C-REF Silver Bulldog Award was presented to Kevin Neary, posthumously. Neary’s three children were in attendance to accept the award. The C-REF Silver Bulldog Award is awarded for distinguished service to the district and community.
Neary served as a school board member for Richmondville and C-R Central Schools, played a key role in the merger of Cobleskill and Richmondville CSDs on the transition team, was the mayor of Richmondville for 25 years and was servant of the community in numerous roles, from school district to village, state and national levels.
Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than 700 grants, including more than $13,500 over the past year. In addition, $5,500 was awarded to teachers through C-REF’s traditional “Rapid Access Grants.”
"The CREF foundation is grateful for the generosity of its sponsors,” said Steve Maniscalco, C-REF Golf Tournament Committee chair. “With their ongoing support, we can successfully accomplish our mission to support, enhance, and promote excellent educational opportunities for students in the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School District."
2023 Winners:
1st gross - Cooper LaBarge, CJ Warner, Andrew Rightmyer, Brady Carrow
2nd gross - Dale Wotherspoon, Bruce Bartlett, Chuck Bennison, Ed Palmatier
1st net - Eamann Neary, Brendan Neary, Jack Harmon, Justin Harmon
2nd net - Jason Coppolo, Bill Ross, Kyle Moran, Liam Rolan
Last gross - Sam Shevat, Dan Zeh, Jim Collins, Bill Downs
Longest drives - Laurie Sickles, Larry Zuefle
Closest to pin - Deb Langevin, Jason Coppolo
Putting contest - CJ Warner