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Xaverian Grad Heads L.I. Charity Golf Tourney
BY BERNIE BEGLANE
It began as the Senior Professional Golfers Association Tour in 1980 with only four tournaments that offered a total purse of $475,000.
This year there are 29 events and $54.1 million in prize money or an average of $1.86M.
And from Day One it has been all about charity.
Take the Commerce Bank Championship staged less than three weeks ago at Eisenhower Park’s Red Course, East Meadow, L.I.
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Edward Travaglianti, left, president of Commerce Bank Long Island, and chairman of the Commerce Bank Championship, presents a trophy to 2007 Champion Lonnie Nielsen. At right is Christopher C. Giamo, market president,
Suburban NY/Connecticut.
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Ed Travaglianti, who grew up in Our Lady of Guadalupe parish, Bensonhurst and who is president of Commerce Bank Long Island, was the tournament chairman.
“The charity aspect is what motivated the bank to get involved four years ago,” explained Ed, who is a graduate of Xaverian High School, Bay Ridge, and St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights.
“Long Island has hosted the tournament for 20 years and donated $4.1 million to charity. In particular to Schneider Children’s Hospital and the Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis.
“We accepted the opportunity to become the sponsor (Northville Industries was the previous sponsor). In our first three years we raised $1.3M for charity. It’s our way of giving back to the community.”
Lonnie Nielsen, who shot rounds of 66-64-69 for a 54-hold total of 199, 14 under par, was the winner.
Not only of the three-day tournament, but for the first time ever since joining the Champions Tour in 2003.
John Harris, the defender, posted a one-over par 72 for 206. That put him in a tie for ninth place.
“We had a crowd of over 7,000 today,” continued Travaglianti in speaking of the final Sunday’s attendance. That’s a record for Eisenhower.
“This was our best field in years and the fans responded.”
Ed, who played club football at St. Francis College where he also was president of the St. Thomas More Law Society, pointed out that Commerce Bank also offered other attractions for the community.
“There was a Family Fun Pavilion on the grounds and on Saturday we staged Fireworks Night,” he explained.
The tournament might have been even more successful if some of the ‘bigger’ names competed.
Not only was Nielsen a virtual unknown, but so were two other recent winners – Ron Streck and Harris.
As in days of old, appearance fees are not permitted.
Granted Chi Chi Rodriguez is retired, as is Jack Nicklaus. Both played in the past when the classic was staged at the Meadow Brook Club, Jericho.
But there’s nothing to prevent Tom Watson from playing. He has collected almost $10M on the tour, but none of that on Long Island.
The same goes for Fuzzy Zoeller, who has earned more than $3,000,000. All away from the area.
If they played, the amount of money given to charity – Schneider Children’s Hospital received $400,000 this time – would be greater.
The golfers themselves have to cooperate or else Rick George, president of the Champions Tour, could invoke a rule that exists on the Ladies PGA Tour. Every woman must appear in each tournament at least once every four years.
In addition to Schneider Children’s Hospital and the Esiason Foundation, three or four other local charities (all dealing with children) received smaller donations.
“Putting on a tournament like this is not a two- or three-month deal,” added Travaglianti, who now lives in St. Patrick’s parish, Huntington, with his wife, Patricia, and their children, Edward, a Colgate University graduate, and Meredith, who earned her degree at Marist College.
“This needs work all year long. Next year we return to Eisenhower June 27-28-29. I want to raise the purse and also raise the amount of money we donate to charity.
“As I said earlier, it’s all about giving back to the community. It’s all about charity.”
Going to Bat for Education
The diocesan Futures in Education Foundation and the Brooklyn Cyclones are teaming up and Going to Bat for Education.
Part of the proceeds from the Cyclones’ July 19 game against the Williamsport Crosscutters in KeySpan Park, Coney Island, will be donated to support need-based scholarships for children attending Catholic schools in Brooklyn and Queens. Game time is 7 p.m.
To order tickets, go to www.brooklyncyclones.com and click on the tickets promotion site. The code word is Futures. Or you can call Futures in Education at 718-965-7340.
All friends of Futures who order online will qualify for a special raffle drawing to be pulled after the game.
Holy Family’s Junior Girls Win Again
The Holy Family girls junior softball team from Fresh Meadows captured its third consecutive CYO title by defeating Gate of Heaven, Ozone Park, 6-5. Holy Family jumped out to a 5-0 lead, only to have Gate of Heaven blast two home runs and gain a 5-5 tie heading into the sixth inning. But the champs’ maturity and composure showed, as they rallied behind a solo home run by Julia Lipovac, to grab the lead for good. Winning pitcher Julianne Keyes retired the final eight Gate batters to nail down the crown. The titleholders were led by Elizabeth Knight with a .528 average and 16 RBIs; Jeanna Dalvano at .487 and 15 RBIs; Julia Lipovac, .440; Katherine Dougherty at .429; and Briana Ramirez, .356. The pitching was led by Julianne Keyes who had six wins, Danielle Corpuz and Katherine Dougherty with two each.Keyes also led the team with 20 runs scored and had a .319 average. Also contribuitng to the championship season were: Nina Yang, Jackie Chang, Theresa Hernandez (.333, 10 RBI), Stephanie Restrepo, Samantha Eberle, Dana Giuntini, Adara Simonelli, Christine Miecuna, and ‘Goldie’ DeJesus.
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