(Courtesy of Daughters of Miriam) More than 120 participants enjoyed a flawless fall day as they golfed in support of Alzheimer’s and dementia care at the 39th Annual Daughters of Miriam Golf Classic on Monday, Sept. 16. Held for the first time at the newly renovated Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey, the Classic brought business and community leaders together for a day of friendly competition and socializing that began with an elaborate buffet brunch in the morning, which led� to an exciting shotgun tee-off at noon.�
For the second year in a row, the Gutenstein Family sponsored the $500,000 shootout that gave eight players who were closest to the hole on the four par 3 holes the opportunity to compete for half a million dollars.� Additionally, two other spots in the contest were auctioned off at the end of the regulation round for a total of 10 golfers competing for the $500,000 prize� from a distance of 165 yards.� Although no winners walked off with the $500,000 prize, one player, Andrew Rosen, won the guaranteed $2,500 cash prize that was awarded to the person who came closest to the pin.�
Along with skill, Rosen came supplied with ample luck––his winning streak continued when his raffle ticket was pulled as the grand prize winner of a new Ford Mustang.� Golfers and dinner guests exploded with applause and surprised exclamations when the grand prize winning raffle was drawn at the end of the lavish buffet dinner and Rosen’s name was announced.� Raffles were also pulled for additional prizes and the lucky streak continued as the grand prize winner’s father, Mark Rosen, had his raffle drawn as the winner of a large flat screen TV.� Philanthropists Mark and Donna Rosen of Franklin Lakes have been generous, long-time supporters of Daughters of Miriam Center and were the well-deserved big winners of the night.
In addition to the auspicious run of luck for one family, ample opportunities for prizes and gifts were available for all golfers. In addition to the $500,000 shootout, the event offered premium hole-in-one prizes such as cars, vacations, 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. All participants also received gifts upon registering and were treated to an elaborate brunch, cocktail hour and dinner both in the dining room and on a sprawling terrace leading down to the manicured greens.
Silent and live auctions capped the day of golf with premium offerings such as foursomes at exclusive golf clubs, baseball playoff tickets, basketball, football and hockey seats, sports memorabilia, vacation packages, a VIP tour of the Today Show and exclusive house seats for Broadway shows such as “Tina, Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and “Moulin Rouge!”� The bidding was a fast and furious process for many of these unique items and it� generated generous funds for a worthy cause.
The success of the event was in large part due to the efforts of the event’s co-chairpersons� Alex Fleysher of West Caldwell, Andrew Kanter of Wayne, David Kessler of Franklin Lakes and Leslie Levine of Clifton.�
“Planning an event like this is a challenge but we have dedicated committee members who help us by selling raffles, as well as by donating or soliciting auction items and gifts,” Kessler said.
“At the end of the day it all works out,” Kanter added. “We have a fantastic event that everyone enjoys while raising money for an important cause.”
In orderto keep the event running smoothly, a small army of volunteers were expertly coordinated by Linda Fishman and Anne Kanter of Wayne, and Leslie Levine of Clifton. Volunteers greeted the players and handed out goody bags and gifts, monitored the prize holes and manned the silent and live auctions.
“We have a loyal group of volunteers, many of whom have been helping out at the golf outing for years,” Levine said. “We are so grateful for their hard work and support. We absolutely could not do this without them.”
The committee members responsible for coordinating the event were� Jeff Abrams, Paul Abrams, Michael Birnberg, Linda Fishman, Jared Kanter, Randi Kochman, Scott Norwalk, Jay Opper, Marc Rosenkrantz, Avi Safer, Jeffrey Silvershein, David Topalian and Morris Yamner.
Companies and individuals sponsoring the Classic included� Premier Flag Sponsors ($25,000)–The McCutchen Foundation; Shootout Sponsor ($12,000)—Gutenstein Family Foundation; Double Eagle Sponsors ($10,000)—A.L. Levine Family Foundation, Levco Shopping Centers, The Kramer Family (Gary, Robert and Karen), Sylvia and Avi Safer, Safer Textiles, Carole and Joel J. Steiger, Valley Bank; Eagle Sponsors ($7,500)—Cole Schotz, P.C., Integra Housing Group and The Joined Management Team, Leslie, Peter and Rachel Levine; Gold Tee Sponsors ($5,000)— Feldman Brothers Electrical and Lighting Supply, Jay Horwitz, Lisa and David Kessler, Partners Pharmacy; Birdie Sponsors ($2,500)—Driscoll Foods, Anne and Andrew Kanter, Nursing Network, Dr. Dely Go, Stephen A. Ploscowe and Ken Rosenberg, Fox Rothschild, Twin Med Medical Services; and Meal Sponsors ($1500)—Randi and Tedd Kochman, OptumCare, The Preferred Client Group, Wuhl Investment Group of Wells Fargo and Zimmet Healthcare Services Group.
Daughters of Miriam Center/The Gallen Institute is a CMS rated five-star state-of-the-art long-term care and subacute facility that provides broad-based services to seniors.� Emphasizing a continuum of care focus,� the centerenter provides a skilled nursing facility, a subacute care wing, a memory 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, accredited by The Joint Commission and serves as a university-affiliated teaching center.�
The Center’s mission is to provide quality healthcare services and housing for seniors in an environment that enhances and respects individualized traditions and lifestyles.
