LOCH SHELDRAKE - For the past decade, the third Monday in May has been a day many area golfers set aside for The Wallace Berkowitz Cup golf outing. Hosted by the NHC Foundation, this popular annual event raises funds and awareness for New Hope Community (NHC), a leading human services organization in Loch Sheldrake, serving men and women who have intellectual and other developmental disabilities.

This spring, as planning for the 10th anniversary golf event was well underway, the Covid-19 pandemic took hold in New York, leaving many to question if the much-anticipated event would be able to take place. In compliance with New York State's Covid guidance, the New Hope Community administrative team agreed to postpone the event while devising creative solutions to ensure that the Wallace Berkowitz Cup tradition could continue safely, later in the year.

On Monday, October 5th, under an early autumn blue sky, the rescheduled golf outing was held at West Hills Golf Club, with 95 enthusiastic golfers in attendance, each ready for some fresh air and relaxation. Additionally, corporate and individual sponsors showed exceptional generosity to enable New Hope Community to meet its fundraising goal for the event. Major sponsorship from the corporate sector was received at the Platinum Level from Arthur J. Gallagher and Hudson Regional LTC Pharmacy, while event sponsorship was provided by Sterling Bank, M&M PowerSports and UBS Financial Services Inc.

More than $37,000 was raised for this year's beneficiary, New Hope Community's Stables at McCoy Meadow, where the Therapeutic Horseback Riding/In House Program (THRIP) is held. This innovative program provides equine, as well as other animal therapies, to enhance lives of the people New Hope Community supports on a daily basis.

“The Covid pandemic has certainly presented us with many unique challenges and we have come together to find creative solutions. We are proud to have been able to continue the tradition of the Wallace Berkowitz Cup,” said Debra McGinness, Chief Executive Officer, New Hope Community. “I am grateful to all of our wonderful friends and sponsors who showed their support for our organization during these difficult times, especially those who came out to safely join us on this spectacular day!”

McGinness was on hand to greet golfers upon their arrival, as they registered in a socially distanced manner. Each was provided with a bagged breakfast assortment of their choosing to start the day. Golf carts were disinfected and ready to roll - with the added option of riding one golfer per cart or using a dividing shield to separate golfers. A satisfying lunch on the course was provided outdoors, with servers handling food under the strictest of guidelines. And while the dinner portion of the event was eliminated, awards were announced via social media and e-mail the following day.

Congratulations to the tournament winners:

Winning Team: Taylor Van Keuren, Corey Van Keuren, Walter Herzog, Nick May

Most Honest Team: Sandy Goldstein, Leslie Danish, Rich Lawrence, Laura Leach

Longest Drive Men: Corey Van Keuren

Longest Drive Women: Laura Leach

Closest to the Pin Men: Bob Sipos - 8” from the pin

Closest to the Pin Women: no winner

50/50 Raffle Winner: Ed Scannell

New Hope Community advises the community to save the date for the next year's 11th Annual Wallace Berkowitz Cup, on Monday, May 17, 2021 at West Hills Country Club. Learn more at www.newhopecommunity.org.