July
2008 Golf Outing Recap
WOW! What a day the 2008
Shred For Mikey Golf outing turned out to be. The weather was fantastic and the golfing was even better. First off, let me
thank all those who participated in this year’s event. We had over 100 golfers and supporters whose generosity contributed
to a terrific and successful outing for all. Let me first acknowledge some of our terrific volunteers for this year’s
event, because without them, the event would never have ran so smoothly as it did. Jackie and Val did a terrific job at the
registration table, ensuring everybody received their special Shred For Mikey “Goody-bag”. Devin Kirshner volunteered
his time by being the official photographer for the outing. His keen eye resulted in some terrific golf shots, and he was
able to take a special picture of Michael with each of the foursomes. Lacey and Amy did a great job, covering the course and
taking some good action shots with their camera. Heather, Ashley and all the girls did a terrific job in making sure the end
of day raffle went smoothly. Thank-you Heather for being my sidekick for many of my lame jokes. After a
short delay, we were out on the course by 2:15 with a shotgun start on the Lake and Rail course. All eyes
were on the foursome of Lennon, Malone, Derella and Michelin foursome, as they were the returning champs from last year. However,
our roaming golf analyst and photographer, Amy, reported the foursome of Alkoc, Orho, Ryan & Chris were burning up the
course with a 4 under after 6 holes. But, as the day to came to a close, it was the foursome of Dinkens, McGrath, Don Hemberger
and son Ricky, who took home the gold this year, with an impressive 16 under par. The foursome were presented with a trip
to Pine Barrens Golf Club, located in South Jersey, which was donated by none other then Baris Alkoc, the 2007 Shred For Mikey
longest drive winner. Unfortunately, Baris’s reign as longest drive champ was short lived, as team mate Pat Oroho, one
of the outstanding Pope John Golf team members, took the honor this year with an impressive boom on the 16th hole.
After an eligibility incident, in which one player was disqualified for being a blood relative of the guest of honor, the
award was presented to Pat after much debate. When the dust settled, Pat walked off with a new Nike Driver. (He’ll need
it if he wants to retain the title next year!!). (No sore loser here!) Winning team member Ricky Hemberger,
took home the honors of closet to the pin, winning himself a brand new putter.
After the round was over, it was back to the clubhouse for
food, drink and raffle prizes! A special shout out needs to go to Linda Griger who was generous enough to get us some many
great gifts from many of the corporate sponsors of Crystal Springs Golf Resort. Thank-you Linda!! With
so many prizes, almost everyone walked away from the outing with a gift. A special sponsor this year was J. Thomas Jeweler
of Sparta, who provided multiple gift certificates and several pieces of jewelry, which were won by husbands or boyfriends
who used the jewelry to get them out of the dog house for being out all day playing golf! Some special prizes were awarded
to several golfers, for their extraordinary talents, both on and off the course. Winning the “Most Balls Lost”
category was returning champ Cody Bush, with an impressive 32 balls lost record. On the flip side of this award, was Zack
Shortway, taking home the award for the player who found the most balls, which coincidentally, was 32 balls. Zack just happen
to be in the foursome following Cody’s foursome. The Stiesi family again took top honors with their consecutive victory
in the “First to Pay” category. However, a miscommunication with the Tee-Shirt company resulted in the Tee shirts
being printed with “I’m a Player” instead of “First Payer” blazed across the front of the shirt.
Needless to say, 70-year-old Walt Sr. was thrilled with his newest wardrobe addition, as reports have already come in of him
wearing it out to Sunday Nigh Bingo and being a big hit with the ladies!!
A new category this year was the player having the best
tan, voted on by all the females in the clubhouse. Taking top honors this years was Kyle Earl, winning a “Tiger”
club head cover. Now that he looks like Tiger, he needs to start playing like him! One of the most anticipated
categories of the night, was swept this year by Brian Taggart, for winning the “Whitest Legs Award”. Unfortunately
Brian had to turn down the Banana Boat tube of 15spf sun block, due to his current contract and endorsement deal with Coppertone
50, the ultimate in sun block protection. Finally, we have someone living up to their contract, way to go Brian!
As the night came to a close, one of the most anticipated gifts of the night was ready to be raffled. It was the return
of the “Redneck” putter. Last years winner was so overwhelmed, that we had to bring the putter back for another
year. However, this year we created the ultimate Redneck Putter package, by including a dozen range balls, 2 cans of Bush
Beer (Light of course), swimming goggles for finding your lost balls in the lake, 3 custom head covers (which can also double
as sandwich bags for taking your lunch to the factory job) and last, but not least, the ultimate redneck sports experience,
driving an actual NASCAR Stock car at the Pocono 500 race track. This was the real deal. This aint your Mama’s car,
this was 600hp of Stock car racing, with you behind the wheel of a real Stock Car, driving 150mph, for 20 miles on an official
racetrack (Pocono 500). This ultimate Redneck Golf Putter package was won by John Cleary. Needless to say, John was thrilled
to win the putter, golf balls and the 2 cans of beer. Oh yah, he was pretty excited about the Stock Car racing also!!
The list of great prizes ranged from Football memorabilia signed by David Tyree of the Super Bowl NY Giants, and
a pair of Winter Season Passes to Mountain Creek, to a one of a kind Desani Mountain bike won by Pat Taggart, who is still
trying to pedal his way home from the course! With so many great prizes, the list of sponsors and donors are equally as long.
We’ll try to list all of them here, but if I miss anyone, I’m truly sorry. We would like to recognize and thank
this year’s hole Sponsors & Supporters
Carl Zimatore
Linda Griger
Devin Kirschner (www.devinphoto.com)
David Papp
K&M Design of Vernon
Ann & Rich Morsch
Joan & Steve Iurato
Vernon Valley Auto Body
Ankle & Foot Associates of North Jersey
Dairy Queen
Esposito LLC.
Swift Electrical Supply
Munley Chiropractic Center – Vernon
Aunt JoAnn
The Fioravanti Family
Dehn Bros. Fire Protection
J. Thomas Jewlery
& Gifts
Singin
Oil Inc.
Mark,
Sue, Heather & Ashley Mascuch
Carucci's Restaurant & Pub
The Merkle Family
The Amato Family
Aunt Denise, Baris & Joseph
Clifton Surgery Center
Aunt Joann, Uncle Cas, Heather & Ashley
The Andresen Family
Eva Bonner
The Mill Creek Boutique
Transparently Green
Freedom Mechanical
Phil & Wendy Perrotta
James Lombardo –
Prudential – Vernon
AppleBee’s Restaurant
Finish Line – Vernon
Milano Restaurant – McAfee
Rupperts Restaurant – Riverdale
Fine Delicatessen Specialty Foods
– Warwick, NY
Mountain Creek
Minerals Hotel & Spa @ Crystal Springs
Coca-Cola
Coors Brewing Company
Miller Brewing Company
Foster Brewing Company
Samuel Adams Brewing Company
Leinenkugels Brewing
Company
MooseHead
Lager Brewing Company
Anheuser Busch Brewing Company
Bear Den Grille @ Black Bear Golf Course
Crystal Spring’s Black Bear Golf Course
Stock Car Racing Experience ( www.877stockcar.com)
In addition to all these great sponsors, we were fortunate to have a wonderful group of very generous golfers this
year, who all contributed to Michael’s cause. We are very grateful and appreciative of your generosity. As a result
of the tremendous support shown to Michael, he was able to donate $250 to the John Fisher Memorial Scholarship Fund, which
is used to award needy scholarships to several deserving Vernon High School seniors. We were honored to have John’s
mom, Deb Fisher play with us this year, so she was presented with the award during the post golf festivities. Please also
consider donating to this fund, by visiting the John Fisher Memorial website at:
www.johnfishermemorialfund.org/
Another special thanks to Debbie @ K&M Design located
on Vernon Crossing Rd,Vernon, NJ who supplied us with this year’s terrific Shred For Mikey T-Shirts. They shirts were
great, especially the “I’m a Player” limited shirt. These shirts were given to the First to register foursome
of Lennon, Derella, Malone and Michelin. The other four were given to the first to pay foursome, the Stiesi family. Next years
outing will see a bigger incentive to register and pay early, as we are considering holding a special raffle for all entries
who do register & pay early. The prize for this raffle is still being considered, but it’s guaranteed to be one
of the biggest prizes of the night. So you need to be in it – to win it, so don’t forget to signup early for next
year’s outing. Check your email, and this website for the official opening of registrations.
Please send me an email if I missed
anyone in the sponsor / supporter list. With so many supporters, I may have missed one or two, so please let me know so I
can update the list. One other reminder. As mentioned at the golf outing, Push-To-Walk, Michael’s physical therapy facility,
is holding their First Annual Golf outing October 16th, 2008, at Crystal Spring’s Wild Turkey Golf Course.
This event is being held to raise needed funding for an expansion project, so that Push-To-Walk may accommodate more clients,
in a larger facility. For additional information regarding Push-To-Walk, and this years outing, please visit their website
at www.pushtowalknj.org . Participation in this outing is limited, so please register early!!
Let me close, by saying
2 words, Thank-You. The outpouring of support and encouragement for Michael’s setback has been terrific. It’s
this display of caring that keeps Michael positive and upbeat, and pushes him one-step closer to his ultimate goal. Thanks
for your generosity and support and we hope to see you at next year’s outing.
With much love and appreciation,
Mike & Kim Ryan
