Joe Giffune, Board Vice Chair, Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail (left), Patrick Berry, President, Westfield News (Cart Sponsor, Center), and Jeff LaValley, Board Chair (right). (Photo submitted)
Friday, September 14, saw nearly a full field as golfers teed it up for the Rail Trail. With Westfield Bank as Trail Blazer/Title Sponsor, Tee It Up For The Rail Trail raised just over $11,500 for Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail (FOCGRT) in their first-ever organized tournament.
Shaker Farms Country Club hosted 136 players, including sponsors and guests, under clear skies and a warm afternoon. Proceeds from the event benefited FOCGRT. According to Jeff LaValley, Board Chair, “we hope to make this an annual event.”
Proceeds from the tournament support the organization’s mission to:
(1) achieve 100% design and construction of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail,
(2) establish (upon construction) maintenance of the trail; and,
(3) educate on the need for comprehensive infrastructure to respond to the need for safe, viable, and active alternative transportation routes in Westfield.
In addition to Trail Blazer/Title Sponsor, Westfield Bank, additional support was provided by:
Trail Racer (Scoreboard) Sponsor – Fasturtle and Vanhasse, Hangen and Brustlin (VHB)
Trail Rider (Cart) Sponsor – Anonymous; The Westfield News; and, Westfield Electroplating Co., Inc.
Trail Cycler (Lunch) Sponsor – Advance Mfg. Co., Inc. and Frank Friguglietti.
Also,
Trail Runner (Hole) Sponsor – Air Compressor Engineering Co., Inc.; Mechanical Drive Components, Inc.; Roger Butler Insurance Agency, Inc.; Savage Arms, Inc.; Shaker Farms Country Club Tennis Club; Stevens 470; and, the Westfield Business Improvement District
Trail Jogger (Tee) Sponsor – Appalachian Press; Choice Health; FastFeet, Inc; Haberman Insurance; Hartley Brothers, Inc. Landscaping & Design; Hastie Fence; Instrument Technologies, Inc.; Langonet Auto Body and Frame; New England Bicycle; P-Three, Inc.; Pleasant Street Market; Senator Michael Knapik; Tavern Restaurant; and, Westfield Gas & Electric.
Tournament play also featured several hole-in-one contests, including an opportunity to win a $1,000 gift certificate from Rocky’s/Ace Hardware; a set of golf clubs from Dave DeRico’s Golf and Raquet; and a set of child’s braces provided by Cordes Orthodontics.
Golfers enjoyed dinner immediately following, hosted by local celebrity and on-air personality, Rich Tettemer from WWLP/Channel 22. The evening also included raffle drawings as well as silent and live auction items, featuring a set of his and hers bicycles donated by New Horizons Bikes; a ladies 26” mountain bike donated by Columbia Mfg. Co., Inc.; a weekend getaway to Maine; and, a Larry Bird autographed basketball.
