Clifton—History was made at the 37th Annual Daughters of Miriam Golf Classic, which coincided for the first time with a spectacular solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. Golfers and guests alike raised their eclipse glasses to the skies to view this incredible natural phenomenon during the afternoon tournament on the greens of the beautiful Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne, New Jersey. The outing in support of Alzheimer’s and dementia care brought business and community leaders together for a day of golf and socializing that began with an elaborate buffet brunch in the morning, then proceeded to an exciting shotgun tee-off at noon.
Eight players who were closest to the hole on the four par 3s had the opportunity to participate in the $500,000 Planned Companies Shootout. At the end of the regulation round two additional spots in the $500,000 shootout contest were auctioned off for a total of 10 golfers on hole 18 competing for the half million dollars from a distance of 150 yards. Unfortunately, no winners walked off with the grand prize although one lucky player won a $2,500 cash prize that was awarded to the person coming closest to the pin.
In addition to the $500,000 shootout, the shotgun event offered terrific hole-in-one prizes such as cars, vacation trips, jewelry and cash awards. Hole-in-one prizes were made possible thanks to the generosity of Frank’s Truck Center of Lyndhurst, Route 23 Auto Mall of Butler, The Timepiece Collection of Englewood and Yanina & Co. of Cedar Grove. The tournament also continued its decades-long tradition of offering something for everyone. Participants received a variety of gifts when they registered and were treated to an elaborate brunch, outdoor cocktail hour on the gorgeous new patio and dinner.
Golf Co-Chairpersons Alex Fleysher of West Caldwell, Andrew Kanter of Wayne, David Kessler of Paterson and Leslie Levine of Clifton were instrumental in the success of the 2017 Classic. “We were thrilled to be back at the outing’s original home—Preakness Hills Country Club,” said Mr. Kanter. “The course is fun, and the service, food and amenities offered to our participants are first-class.”
“We have a lot of golfers who participate in other outings, and most comment about the excellent prizes as well as varied auction items that we offer,” added Mrs. Levine. “It is very gratifying to know that our committee’s hard work pays off for a great experience for our golfers and guests as well as for raising much-needed dollars for Alzheimer’s and dementia care.”
Volunteers staff the event and help the day run smoothly by greeting players with gifts and goodie bags, registering participants, monitoring the prize holes and manning the silent and live auctions. Their efforts were headed by volunteer coordinators Linda Fishman, Anne Kanter and Leslie Levine.
The committee responsible for coordinating the event was Jeff Abrams, Paul Abrams, Michael Birnberg, Robert Chestnov, Monica Cohen, Reid Fader, Jared Kanter, Robert Kantor, Randi Kochman, Jay Opper, Marc Rosenkrantz, Avi Safer, Joseph Silverman, Jeffrey Silvershein, Michael Sirota, Andrew Steiger, David Topalian, Gail Yamner and Morris Yamner.
Companies and individuals sponsoring the Classic included Premier Flag Sponsors ($25,000)—The McCutchen Foundation; Double Eagle Sponsors ($10,000)—A.L. Levine Family Foundation, Levco Shopping Centers, Sylvia and Avi Safer, Safer Textiles, Carole and Joel J. Steiger, Valley National Bank; Shootout Sponsor ($10,000)—Planned Companies; Eagle Sponsor ($7,500)—Cole Schotz, P.C., Integra Housing Group and The Joined Management Team, Leslie, Peter and Rachel Levine; Gold Tee Sponsors ($5,000)—Evco Mechanical, Robert Gutenstein, Jay Horwitz, Lewis Family Trust, Larry A. Levy, Trustee, Stephen A. Ploscowe, Fox Rothschild, Lisa and Jeff Silvershein; Birdie Sponsors ($2,500)—ECS Global, Jacqueline and Alex Fleysher, Anne and Andrew Kanter, Lisa and David Kessler, Philip Moss, Nursing Network, Dr. Dely Go, Speedy Rx, Twin Med Medical Services; and Meal Sponsors ($1500)—Randi and Tedd Kochman, Spencer Savings Bank, OptumCare, St. Mary’s Hospital.
Daughters of Miriam Center/The Gallen Institute is a five-star long-term care and subacute facility providing broad-based services to seniors. Emphasizing a continuum-of-care focus, Center divisions include a skilled nursing facility, a subacute care wing, a dementia care pavilion, a rehabilitation program, a sheltered workshop, hospice care, a respite program and senior housing with supportive services.
Founded in 1921, the Center is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization licensed by the New Jersey Department of Health and accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and serves as a university-affiliated teaching center.
