The fifth annual Edria Hagios Cup golf tournament at Stanton Ridge Golf and Country Club raised over $25,000 for Hunterdon County Special Olympic programs.
READINGTON TWP. - The fifth annual Edria Hagios Cup golf tournament at Stanton Ridge Golf and Country Club raised over $25,000 for Hunterdon County Special Olympic programs this year.
A total of 156 golfers competed to have their names inscribed on a trophy named in honor of Edria Hagios, a dominant force in the development of athletic programs for Hunterdon's special needs athletes, according to a news release.
Thanks to these golfers and over four dozen sponsors, this was the most successful event to date.
"At the present time, we have 525 athletes of all ages participating in sports ranging from soccer to snow skiing, basketball to bocce, golf, tennis, swimming flag football and track and field," said Area Director Joyce Kirchin. "This year, we even hosted a first-ever prom for these athletes. It was so much fun."
Coaches provide time on a volunteer basis and athletes participate in a wide variety programs based on their abilities at no cost to their families.
"It's a wonderful program and we're proud to be a part of it," said Mike Stephens, chief executive officer of CBM Corp., the title sponsor of the event for the past five years. "These people run a great tournament and it's obvious what the programs mean to these athletes."
Stephens flies up from the company's headquarters in Atlanta to participate in the event every year.
"This tournament is becoming more and more popular," said Bob Benjamin, event chairman the past six years. "We had a long waiting list this year and the challenge is to fit in as many players as we can. It's a good problem to have. And I can't say enough about our sponsors. They are genuinely pleased to be supporting such a great cause and they're there for us year after year.
"It's why Hunterdon County is able to provide so many of the best Special Olympic programs around the state."
Those who know of an athlete who may wish to participate in one or more of the many Special Olympic programs in Hunterdon County can contact Joyce Kirchin at jkirch@embarqmail.com.