On June 19 the Troy Area School District Foundation held its 11th Annual fund-raising golf tournament at the Towanda Country Club. It was a great day for golf and all the players left the tournament feeling that they were winners for having contributed to the success of the TASD Foundation.
The Florida Scramble format, which is fun to play for skilled golfers and beginners alike, was utilized again this year. Each golfer received a door prize and many golfers received other awards for individual on course skills and team successes.
The tournament for this year, and for all years in the future, is designated, as a result of a vote of the Foundation Board of Directors, as the Robert W. Grantier Memorial Golf Tournament.
The Florida Scramble format, which is fun to play for skilled golfers and beginners alike, was utilized again this year. Each golfer received a door prize and many golfers received other awards for individual on course skills and team successes.
The tournament for this year, and for all years in the future, is designated, as a result of a vote of the Foundation Board of Directors, as the Robert W. Grantier Memorial Golf Tournament.
Former Troy Superintendent, Bob Grantier, started the Troy Area School District Foundation in 1999 and the TASD Foundation fund-raising golf tournament in 2005. Starting with an unknown foundation, no programs, little public support, and no money, Bob was able to raise awareness in the community of the need for the Foundation, to encourage volunteers within the administration, the staff of the school and among members of the Foundation Board of Directors to raise funds and initiate many programs of significant value to students, the school system, and the community. Bob's early efforts resulted in the rebuilding of the Alumni Gate and the purchase of a grand piano. He created a mini grant program that now has an annual budget of $25,000, he created an Advance Placement program for classes and for precollege testing which now has an annual budget of $12,000, he encouraged the awarding of over $400,000 in scholarships with funding provided by the Hubbard and Hall families, he initiated the Distinguished Alumni Program, and the Foundation Golf Tournament he started has now produced over $220,000 to be added to the Endowment Fund and used for student programs and school district improvements. Bob gave generously of his time and effort in spending hundreds of hours to establish the Foundation and to lead it through the first critical years of its existence. He was both efficient and tireless in promoting the Foundation and its value to the school district and our community. The community and the school are grateful that Bob's personal commitment, vision, and generosity created an enduring legacy that will benefit the district, the community, and future generations of Troy Area School District students.
Every player in the tournament received a door prize of a golf shirt with the embroidered logo of the Foundation and sleeves embroidered with the names of the sponsors of the shirts, Cummings Lumber Company, and Gannon Associates – MC Insurance.
Several raffles were held including one sponsored by Rick and Cheri Hoover for a $300 gift card at Hoover Hardware. Other raffle items were contributed by: 1110 West Main, LTD., Anthony's Bar and Grill, Barnstead Pantry, China Garden, Copper Tree, Dr. Lawrence Busch, First Arena, Gary Ulmers Golf Shop, School Specially Inc., Shear Style, and Trojan Touchdown Club.
Again this year over 80 loyal sponsors, local businesses and individuals as well as companies and individuals who work with the school district, made donations ranging from $25-$2500. Major donors included Cummings Lumber Company, Inc., Gannon Associates – MC Insurance, Windy Acres (Bill and Sally Eick), Besley Century Farm (Dick and Linda Besley), Dream Weavers of Canton, ForceN Technologies Group (Darren Roy), Brann Williams Caldwell and Sheetz, Lubbering Corporation, Trojan Transport Inc., Troy Vets Club Home Association American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post 8675, NRG Controls North, Inc., McClure Company, Richard Eaton the Chairman of the Imagination Library Committee, Wiggle Radio (which also allows the Foundation to make public service announcements regarding the tournament), Jostens (the class ring company). Additional sponsors included Sugar Branch Farms, Judson's Inc., Eighmey Chevrolet – Buick, Citizens and Northern Bank, Cozen O'Connor, Hunt Engineers/Architects/Surveyors, Baird, Chief Oil and Gas, LLC, Shipman Trucking, Leona Meat Plant, Inc., and Donald D. White, public accountant.
Award sponsors included Rick and Cheri Hoover, Shedden's Wholesale, Bronson Busing Inc., Dandy Many Mart, Troy Tire, Chemung Canal Trust Company, First Citizens National Bank, G S Signs, Valicenti Advisory Services, Inc., Betsy and Ray Seeley, Empire access, Martha Lloyd Community Services, Vinnie's Pizza, Dr. Stephen J Renzi, Evlou Lane, LLC, Keck's Food Service, Inc., Far View Farm, Dr. Lopatofsky and Dr. Bense, C & G Wilcox Engravings and Images.
There were many on course prizes. Matt Stroop won a prize for the straightest drive in the fairway on hole number five. Michael Brobston won a trip to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio for being closest to the pin on hole number 16 – (1'11"). Steve Dunbar won $177 for being closest to the pin on hole number 14. Tim McClure won the putting contest with an award of $120 and a beautiful trophy from C&G Wilcox Engravings and Images of Towanda. Gary Early, Doe Close, and Roy Cummings Jr. won prizes for long drive on hole number 9 for, respectively, men, women, and seniors.
A car was offered for a hole in one on hole number two. The same sponsor also offered prizes for holes in one on two other holes. Unfortunately, there were no winners. Eighmey Chevrolet and Buick put the car up as a prize and Gannon Associates Insurance – MC Insurance were the sponsors of the contest.
Second place in the third flight was won by a team from ProCare including Micki Williams, Tricia Williams, Duke Opdyke and George Opdyke, on a match of cards, with a score of 168. First Place in the third flight was won by a team of Matt Feldman, Dan Cook, Brent Keyes, and Kevin Brown with a score of 168.
Second place in the second flight was won by a team comprised of Tom Close, Doe Close, Rick Hoover, and Gary Cummings with a score of 156. First Place in the second flight was won by a team comprised of Bill Miller, Chad Shrawder, Matt Travani, and Lee Cummings on a match of cards with a score of 156.
Second place in the first flight was won by a team comprised of Chip Cummings, Todd Boyles, Evan Williams III, and John Secor with a score of 138. First Place in the first flight and overall winners of the tournament was a team representing Cookes Pharmacy in Troy comprised of Capt. Lyle Haflett, Rich Carlonas, Matt Williams, and Tom Rudzynski with a score of 137.
Many volunteers made the tournament possible including Co-Chairpersons Jerry May and Nikki Imbt, Executive Director and Overall Organizer and Overseer and, by acclamation, MVP, Stacey Hussman, as well as Sue Shipman, Steve Brian, Rebecca Stanfield, Traci Gilliland, David Blair, the student volunteers from the National Honor Society, Randy Hickok and Trojan Transport Inc., and the members of the Troy Area School District Foundation Golf Tournament Committee.
The Foundation is very grateful for the loyal financial support of the tournament sponsors, for the consistent participation in the tournament by the golfers, for the efforts of our many volunteers and, most particularly, for the vision, inspiration, and example of community commitment, service, and selfless dedication established by our Founder, Robert W. Grantier.