TRC Golf Classic Surpasses $2 Million Dollars in Proceeds

Sunny weather and friendly competition highlighted the 30th annual TRC Golf Classic, which raised over $78,000 to improve the lives of people with special needs in Chautauqua County. This officially brings the tournament’s cumulative net proceeds to over $2 million since the event was first held in 1997.

Thirty foursomes competed in the tournament, held July 20 at Moon Brook Country Club near Jamestown. Winning the tournament with a score of 115 in the two-best-ball of four, was the team of Mike Bird, Jeff Keppel, Todd Conklin, and Jerome Lee Yaw. They will have their names engraved on the champions’ trophy, which is called The Gregg Bender Cup in honor of the retired TRC employee and former longtime chair of the tournament’s steering committee.

Earning top honors in the first flight with a score of 117 was the team Rob Foti, Dave Foti, Craig Lundgren, and Pete Morgante. Finishing atop flight two with a 120 was the team of Dan Bender, Joe Cala, Rob Bender, and Gregg Bender.

Once the tournament concluded, the traditional Special Olympics putting contest took place. 14 athletes participated, with each Special Olympian getting one chance to make a lengthy putt. The competitor whose ball entered the hole was Josh Holsinger.

Following appetizers and a buffet dinner prepared by Moon Brook staff, awards were presented to the top teams in the tournament, and prize drawings were held. Kelly Dimitri, TRC’s chief operating officer, thanked the golfers for participating in the tournament, which raises money to support people with disabilities in Chautauqua County.

For the 15th straight year, Lake Shore Bank was the presenting sponsor. Other major sponsors were HM Insurance Group, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, the Winifred Crawford Dibert Foundation Fund, Bryans & Gramuglia, Fenton Mobility, Gallagher, Jamestown Container Companies, Kinetic – Internet Service Provider, Ocean State Innovations, The Post-Journal, and USI Insurance.

Hole and specialty sponsors included Allied Alarm Services, Arthur R. Gren Company, Bond, Schoeneck & King, Collaborative Children’s Solutions, Comparion Insurance Agency, Conrad Office Products, Courier Capital, Davis-Ulmer Fire Protection, DoubleTree by Hilton Jamestown, EYM Enterprise, Fredonia Beaver Club, FSC Systems, Graf Realty, Gugino & Ryel Financial, HCH Interiors, Health System Services, Independent Health, Inscale Architects, Integrated MedCraft, Jamestown Awning, Jamestown Macadam Inc. (JMI), Jamestown Mattress, Jennifer and Paul Capitano, Joe and Terry Ribaudo, KeyBank, Kinley Contractors, Klice Lawn & Landscaping, LaBella Associates, Lake Shore Paving, LUV Toyota, M.J. Foley Co., Phil and Cindy Ribaudo, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, PPR Energy Solutions, Pucci Carpet One Furniture & Bedding, Rand Community Philanthropic Foundation, Sally and Jim Jaroszynski, SKF USA Inc., Shults Auto Group, SM Cristall, Tabone Southtown’s Sealing, Twinstar Business Solutions, TRC’s Executive Management Team, UPMC Chautauqua, WCA Foundation, Weber Knapp Company, Winning Tree, YKK Tape Craft Corporation, and Youngsville Hardware.

The following donated items: ACME The Appliance Store, Cable Hollow GC, Charcuterie by Carrie, Chautauqua Golf Club, Chautauqua Harbor Hotel, DFT Communications, EYM Enterprise, Fredonia Beaver Club, Jason Stronz, Johnston Paper, Kinetic – Internet Service Provider, Inscale Architects, Mike Goldman, Mike Roberts – Allied Alarm Systems, Textile Network, South Hills Country Club, Smokin’ Bear Cigars, Southern Tier Brewing Company, Southern Tier Distilling Company, Tim Hortons Southern Tier, and ZTS Management LLC.

The tournament’s success is due in large part to the efforts of its steering committee: Chris Anderson, chair; Gregg Bender, chair emeritus; Nicholas Bell, Daniel Bender, Anthony Cusimano, Adam Dimitri, John Felton, R. Michael Goldman, Carrie Graham, John Gullo, Cindy Hitchcock, Sarah Pillittieri, Phil Ribaudo, Mike Roberts, Patrick Smeraldo, Jason Stronz, Victoria Bardo, Timur Tyra, Ben Windoft, Tad Wright, and Gary Yager.

Also critical to the tournament’s success were the contributions of its other event-day volunteers: Michele Albaugh, Chris Anderson, Kevin Anderson, Victoria Bardo, Theresa Butts, Kayla DePane, Kelly Dimitri, Dick Erickson, Kathy Field, John Gullo, Cindy Hitchcock, Austin Mitchell, Jacqueline C. Phelps, Sarah Pillittieri, Karen Silzle, and Steve Waterson.

“The 30th annual TRC Golf Classic marked an incredible milestone, pushing the tournament’s cumulative fundraising total beyond $2 million,” Chris Anderson, TRC Golf Classic Chair said. “This is truly an amazing accomplishment. The weather was perfect, and Moon Brook Country Club was in superb condition.

“The success of the TRC Golf Classic is made possible through the generous financial support of our sponsors, the dedication of our many volunteers, and the outstanding efforts of the staff at Moon Brook Country Club. Together, they make a lasting difference in the lives of people throughout our community. It is an honor to lead such a successful and meaningful event and to work alongside a dedicated committee whose commitment helps ensure the tournament’s continued success.”

TRC Golf Classic proceeds benefit Filling the Gap, Inc., a Jamestown-based not-for-profit organization that works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities and other socioeconomic challenges. Money raised through the tournament is directed to The Resource Center TRC Foundation Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Filling the Gap annually awards grants utilizing some of the money raised through TRC Golf Classic and other events.

The 31st TRC Golf Classic is tentatively scheduled for July 19, 2027. Businesses interested in sponsoring the event can contact Anderson at 716-483-2344, ext 90167.

Pictured from left are the members of the winning team: Mike Bird, Jerome Lee Yaw, and Jeff Keppel (Todd Conklin was absent from photo)

Josh Holsinger, right, won the Special Olympics putting contest. He is pictured with Kevin Anderson, left, a Resource Center employee and Special Olympics golf coach.