MCCC Athletes and Their Supporters Win Big at 30th Annual Golf Classic
10/8/21
West Trenton, N.J. – Corporate and community friends of Mercer County Community College (MCCC) hit the links at Trenton Country Club on Monday, Oct. 4 for the college’s 30th Annual Golf Classic. Co-hosted by the MCCC Foundation and Athletics Department in partnership with Haldeman Auto Group, the event featured a great day of golf and camaraderie and raised $35,000 for student-athlete scholarships.
Prior to the 10 A.M. shotgun start, MCCC President Jianping Wang welcomed the golfers. “This year marks three decades of successful Mercer golf outings,” she said. “Over the decades, this tournament has fueled the success of our athletics program and the students who participate on our teams. You continue to send the message that you believe in them and are investing in their futures. We are very grateful."
Seventy-six golfers came out for the day. Joe Claffey, MCCC Foundation Executive Director, observes that while the participant numbers were not back to pre-pandemic levels, there were far more golfers than last year. "Even more importantly, the total proceeds tied what we raised in Fall 2019. That speaks to the strength of our partnership with our community friends, who consistently support our Vikings athletes and the college as a whole,” Claffey said.
Event co-chairs were long-time MCCC supporters Dave Fraytak, Allen Silk and Brian Bennett, of Haldeman Auto Group, the tournament’s main sponsor. The morning’s competition ramped up at Hole 10, where golfers swung for a hole-in-one and the keys to a new car provided by Haldeman. The festivities also included other games and prizes.
Following the round of golf, participants enjoyed lunch and an awards ceremony in the club’s ballroom. The winning foursome was Vincent Ardery, Rich Giallella, John Mazurek and Frank Constantino. Closest to the pin winners included Ed Deitzler, John Donohue, Steve Faber, Arve Hanstveit and Rob Schouter.
As Athletics Director John Simone announced the winners, he noted that everyone in attendance was a winner. “You had an enjoyable day and you supported a very worthy cause. Our athletes feel the power of your generosity every day,” he said, noting that Mercer athletes learn lessons that will serve them for a lifetime, including teamwork and time management skills. In just the past decade, more than 40 students have been named Academic All-Americans.
Student-athletes from MCCC’s baseball and softball teams volunteered at the tournament. Sophomore infielder Jarret May spoke to the lunch crowd about the impact of scholarships in the lives of his teammates and friends. “There are a lot of students who can’t afford a college education. We are thankful to all of you for helping to alleviate this burden.”
To view a photo gallery of tournament participants, click here.
MCCC gratefully acknowledges its major sponsors: Haldeman Auto Group (Tournament Sponsor); Homasote; PFM Asset Management, LLC; Spiezle Architectural Group; Stark & Stark; Aamir A. Rehman & Hina Z. Ghory Family Charitable Trust; and CBIZ Borden Perlman.
Other sponsors include: Adams, Gutierrez & Lattibourdere, LLC; Clarke Caton Hintz, Drexel Metals, Fowler Family, Dave Fraytak, Frontgate Wealth Management, Fulton Bank, IBEW, K&J Lawn Care and Landscaping, Coach Levy's Friends of Princeton, Rivertan Risk Management Group, John Simone, Smires and Associates/United Title Agency, and The College of New Jersey.
Other generous supporters are Case's Pork Roll, Security Dynamics, Mercadien, Plumbers & Pipefitters Local UA9, and SSI Strategy Holdings, LLC, Charles Plohn, Jr., and Robert Humes.
The MCCC Foundation continues to accept donations in support of student-athlete scholarships. To donate, visit http://mccc.edu/vikings.
Congrats to the winning foursome, from left, Rich Giallella, Frank Constantino, John Mazurek, and Vince Ardery.
