Region – The fifth and final One Ball Two Strikes, The Greg Montalbano Golf Classic, raised $40,000 at Highfields Golf & Country Club in Grafton Sept. 19. Proceeds from the event benefit Catch-A-Dream, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and youth recreational organizations in the local community. The tournament raised more than $160,000 in its five years.
The tournament’s scramble format included 188 golfers between the morning and afternoon rounds and raised charitable funds through various sponsorships, raffles and both silent and live auctions.
More than 100 family members, friends and local companies supported the event by donating items for the auctions and raffle and sponsoring lunch, dinner, pin flags, tee boxes, golf carts, the driving range and practice green.
For the fourth consecutive year, Independent Claims Service signed on as the One Ball Two Strikes tournament sponsor. Other major sponsors included the Johnson Family, David French Music Company, Paul and Diane Moore, Harpers Payroll Services, E.L. Harvey & Sons, Pilgrim Bay Insurance, Salem Five and Dorr Aviation Credit Corporation.
“Thank you to our golfers, volunteers and generous donors who made the last five years such a success,” said Patrick Fallon, Greg’s cousin and best friend who organizes One Ball Two Strikes along with other family members and friends. “Greg would be thrilled that the tournament he envisioned raised more than $160,000 for causes close to his heart.”
Awards were given out in several categories, including closest to the pin, straightest drive and first, second, third and last place team. For the second time in five years, “Team ICS 1,” made up of Scott Buckley, Mike McDonagh, Mark Noack and David Wong, took first place, winning the prized One Ball Two Strikes trophy.
Team “Politically Incorrect,” made up of Pat Clarke, Thomas Gay, Choung Pham and Ben Schwartz, took second place. Third place honors went to “Geese Hunters,” made up of Bryan Blackney, Kevin Blackney, Ryan Blackney and Mark Ryan. Closest to the pin went to Pat Quinn on hole 2 and Vince Aquilino on hole 17. Carl Oberg won straightest drive. Sheri Dupuis won longest drive for women and Mike Long won longest drive for men. For the third year in a row, best team costume honors went to “Sharp Dressed Men,” made up of Tim Dupuis, Matthew Jose, Andrew Quinn and Steve Scannell.
One Ball Two Strikes’ mission is to honor Greg Montalbano by providing unique opportunities and/or a once-in-a-lifetime experience for children and young adults suffering from a serious, life-threatening or terminal illness as well as provide positive recreational opportunities for youth in the community.
For more information, visit www.1ball2strikes.org.
