A successful fund raiser held on May 21, 2007.

 
    Practice Green                  Organizers                  Registration Crew
Great Bear Golf &         Ron G., Pat F., Ed M.     Jessie B., Donna B., Bill L., Ellen B.
Country Club, PA

        Team 2A                    Team 2B                        Team 5A                        Team 5B

Mother Nature surprised those few golfers who wore shorts for the Annual AT&T Pioneers NJ Chapter 139 Life Member Club (LMC) Fund Raising Golf Benefit at the Great Bear Golf and Country Club in East Stroudsburg PA, with an early morning chill. The temperature did rise quickly though, and the day turned out to be glorious, with bright sunshine and blue skies.

The course is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in the region. Golf Digest recently ranked Great Bear among the top 20 courses in Pennsylvania. A better course to play would be hard to find. The sad news is that it’s probably the last time the Pioneers be able to play there as the club has recently gone “private”.

The turnout filled the course twice around; and another seventy or so golfers had to be turned away due to the tremendous response. Players followed a “scramble” format to ensure all participants, regardless of their level of play, could enjoy the fairly difficult course, and still be able to contribute to their team.

No one was able to capitalize on the Hole-in-one prizes available on each of the par three holes, including a $15,000 cash prize.  Many door prizes and gifts were also donated and awarded to the participants. The winning team (Nicholas, Connaughton, Fowler and Jordan) scored a net 60.

The “competition” was the least important aspect of the event, which was both a golfing and fundraising success. This outing raised more than any other single LMC event. These funds support the Life Member Club's Projects, including Audiometer Hearing Screening tests 4-7yr olds, Dial 911 Emergency Simulator Telephone Training, Electronic Information & Education Services of NJ for the visually impaired, Midland School for young adult training, Community Food Banks, Lap Robes for the Aged, and Scholarships.

There were also lots of smiles for those who hadn’t seen some of those familiar faces in quite some time. Retelling those old stories was probably a highlight for everyone.

Thanks are extended to the Sponsors whose generous donations contributed to the events’ financial success. These included: General Dynamics Wireless Services, JRT Limited, Affinity Federal Credit Union, Chartwell Travel Services, and PMSI Direct.

Thanks are also extended to the volunteers who helped keep the action moving all day.