Two hundred and four golfers got the chance recently to test their skills in the first official event on the new Executive Course at Silica Sands Golf Club, which is adjacent to the site where Trout National–The Reserve course is under construction.
The Greater Millville Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) organized the charity event along with John Ruga, Chief Executive Officer of Northeast Precast.
This was not your father’s charity golf tournament. There were no less than a dozen qualifying rounds held three times a week throughout September and only the top seven men’s and women’s foursomes were allowed to go on to the championship round early this month.
All the rounds went quickly on the seven-hole par-3 layout; foursomes played the course twice consecutively for a total of 14 holes. A spirit of congeniality and good humor seemed to pervade the mostly friendly competition.
“The whole thing was unique and fun,” said GMCC Executive Director Jerry Covella. “I heard it over and over, this was so different from a normal charity tournament and lots more enjoyable.”
Despite the levity, scores counted, of course, and the winners’ list is shown in the box below.
The best scoring foursomes and individuals were honored at a post-tournament banquet put on by Northeast Precast under a festive outdoor tent onsite.
Proceeds went to the chamber’s member services and scholarship funds, and $5,000 went to the Patriot Fund, which serves veterans.
I got to follow one foursome in the women’s division around the course. Dee Snook-Council, Kristin Payne, Donna Jost, and captain Laura Kousmine often play together as the “Sasquatch Flamingos” and travel to a variety of courses in the region. Each of them shared the opinion that Silica Sands was spectacular, with different level holes, beautiful natural terrain, and immaculate fairways and greens.
The greens were fast, however, because they are trimmed short, just as they are on the larger, national level courses. I saw some three and four putts and even a five (by she who must not be named), but nobody was discouraged and the spirited gals still took the trophy for Women’s Net Score.
“The tournament couldn’t have happened anywhere but Silica Sands,” Covella said. “John literally provided the course for 13 days, along with all the logistics. You couldn’t have a better setup to accomplish this.”
Covella said the operation was virtually seamless, even though so many people were involved.
“It was great to have everyone together,” Covella said. “It was a unique event, with cooperation in every way in organizing and operation. The course was in perfect shape, even with all these rounds, and we had volunteers from the chamber, Northeast Precast, and Silica Sands.”
There were a good number of pre-registrants for the qualifying rounds and, as the first people out began spreading the word about the beauty of the course and novelty of being the first to play it, many more joined the competition. Increased numbers added to the fun. The greens fee was affordable, and it included dinner.
Adding to the uniqueness, this was a walking tournament and some participants who haven’t walked the fairways in a long time said they enjoyed it and may continue to play sometimes without a cart. One creative group even brought their own caddies.
“We hit the mark perfectly,” said Covella.
I felt a quiet excitement as I left the grounds. Driving out along the twisting dirt road past the imposing buildings of Northeast Precast and seeing the inobtrusive arrowed signs for “Golf Tournament,” I realized that, in that little seven-hole course, I just had witnessed the future of the site of Trout National and the notoriety it will bring to our region.
Cover Photo: Millville Chamber of Commerce Facebook page
E-mail the writer at mickeybrandt@comcast.net
Millville Chamber of Commerce Charity Golf Tournament Winners
Men’s Gross Score Championship
- Glenn Miller
- Mike Brosh
- Jesse Morvay
- Tony Castanzo
Men’s Net Score Championship
- Benjamin Romanik
- Mitch Primas
- Lee Reinhardt
- Chad Cerino
Women’s Gross Score Championship
- Teri Heston
- Gina Campenella
- Vickie Miller
- Lori Maddalena
Women’s Net Score Championship
- Laura Kousmine
- Donna Jost
- Dee Snook-Council
- Kristin Payne
Individual Men’s Low Score
- Conner Powers
Individual Women’s Low Score
- Vickie Miller
