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1st Annual Golf on Ice Challenge

(Photos Below)

OCCA Wants To Thank Everyone Involved Who Helped Make This Event A Success.

Orleans County Citizen Advocacy’s board of directors, Program Director, Ellen Bowen, and Coordinator, Paula Manzi want to thank everyone involved in making this year’s golf challenge tournament a fun, safe, spirited fundraiser that generated funds for our non-profit that builds and supports one-to-one independent long term relationships between unpaid community members and people with developmental disabilities; to ensure that people with disabilities are protected, heard, empowered, respected and included.

This year’s 20 golfers braved snow, wind and an interesting 9 hole golf course at Prouty Beach. Although the event was small this year we plan to grow next year with more sponsors, prizes, food, and an expanded course. Many ideas are in the works! Look for save the date flyers this fall.

Special thanks to Andy Cappello of Newport Parks & Recreation Dept who worked tirelessly despite many setbacks to create the wonderful course we had, and to Steve Dalpe of the North Country Mountaineers for grooming the course on such short notice. Your volunteer support was invaluable, and made the whole event happen. Much appreciation also to Newport Rotary Club, Rusty’s Electric, Robert Taplin Septic Service and Memphremagog Rentals for their supportive hole sponsorships. Included in the list of gratitude on behalf of OCCA is Community National Bank who donated the bright orange golf balls which help the participants find their lost balls in the large amount of surrounding snow. And no OCCA fundraising event would be complete without giving out some prizes. For that we owe recognition to Jay Peak Country Club, Newport Country Club, Orleans Country Club and Barton Golf Club who all gave 4 18 hole green fee passes that were very well received by the winners. We also thank Memphremagog Press and The Front Desk for donating printing material.

OCCA certainly wants to acknowledge our volunteers. Jason Willey & Chris Lyon gave plenty of back labor with their help in digging the holes on the course as well as making pathways from one fairway to the next. This was no small feat given all the snow that needed to be moved. Also volunteering was Sue Engel who took beautiful photographs for us and formatted them into a professional package.

All of these very special people and businesses made the golf event come together and a great success!

We look forward to next year’s 2nd Annual OCCA Golf Challenge.

(Click on Photo to enlarge)