by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — New Jersey’s horsemen and TROTPac were the beneficiaries of a sunny day of golf for the competitors in the 20th annual Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey’s golf outing and fundraiser on Monday (July 13) at Gambler Ridge Golf Course in Cream Ridge, N.J.

A total of 121 golfers and banquet attendees feasted on a prime rib dinner, followed by cream puffs, cannolis and other desserts.

A moment of silence was observed to remember SBOANJ directors Edward Razzetti and Robert Baggitt Sr., who co-chaired the golf outing for many years. Both passed away in the last several months.

Numerous door prizes were distributed along with presentations for golfing prowess.

For the second straight year, the best foursome honors went to the Kunz Equine Team of Symon Spicer, Mike Seddon, Shannon “Murph” Murphy and Johnny Pregman. Murphy was also the 50-50 winner, donating back a portion of the $793 prize.

The “most honest” foursome award went to Chris Ryder, Patrick Ryder, Dean Bovino and Connor Bovino.

Longest drive-prizes went to Ellie Sarama and Garrett Federico.

Closest to the Pin was trainer Ross Croghan.

Putting contest honors went to Mike Pasch from Team Meadowlands.

Jake Hartline won the drawing for a Track Trainer jog cart, which was donated by Allen Eggert of Pennsbury Enterprises.

Sponsorships, key to the fund raising effort which benefits New Jersey’s Standardbred horsemen in need and TROTPac, were provided at several levels. The tournament sponsors were Shay Cowan/Katz-Pierz Inc., Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment and La Ferla Group LLC.

The dinner sponsor was Michael Parisi of White Birch Farm; the lunch sponsor was AJ Sabath of Advocacy & Management Group; the dessert sponsor was Berman, Gara & Rutsky Group; the drink cart sponsor was Green Acquisition Corporation; closest to the pin sponsor was the LaFerla Group LLC and the longest drive sponsors were (men) Bonnie Butler in memory of Pat and Bill Butler, and (women) Berman, Gara & Rutsky Group.

Platinum Sponsors: Katz-Pierz Inc., La Ferla Group LLC, Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment and White Birch Farm.

Gold Sponsor: Drucker, Math and Whitman PC

Silver Sponsors: Aetna/Meridian Health; Baggitt Family; Berman, Gara & Rutsky Group; Ross Croghan; Emposimato Stables; Federico’s Landscaping; Freehold Raceway; Marty Granoff/Val D’Or Farms; Tim Hundertpfund/Gaitway Farm; Hambletonian Society; Joie De Vie Farms; Dr. Celeste Kunz/Kunz Equine LLC; Sam Landy; Nick Salenetri, BNS Exhibit Pros; Santoro & Santoro; Showplaces Farms and William Weaver/Valley High Stables.

Bronze Sponsors: Jeff Bamond, Mark Ford, New Jersey Community Bank, Anthony Perretti Farm & Bloodstock Inc., Chris Ryder, Nick Surick and Walnridge Farm.

Other donors and sponsors: George and Ginny Whipple Berkner, John Campbell, Mark Mullen, Marc and Marcy Goldberg, Health Insurance Solutions Inc., Electric Battery Company LLC, Pantano Nursery & Landscape Supply, Chris Rahey/Deep River Snacks.

Prize donations were provided by Bluestone Farms, John Calabrese, Deo Volente Farm, Gambler Ridge Golf Club, Ellen Harvey, Northwood Bloodstock, Reynolds Hay & Straw/Tribute Equine Nutrition, Rick’s Saddle Shop/Purina, Peter Roselle and SPHO-NJ.

The hole sponsors were the Baggitt Family; Drucker, Math and Whitman PC; Freehold Raceway, The Horseman and Fair World; Katz-Pierz Inc.; Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment; Andy Miller Stable; Network Security Group; Razzetti Family; Maggi Romano in memory of Kash Cordial; Nick Salenetri; SPHO-NJ and Nick Surick.

The Hole-In-One prize, a 2015 Dodge pickup truck, was provided by Freehold Dodge.

The 2015 SBOANJ golf outing was chaired by Dennis Lane, a member of the Board of Directors, and organized by office staffers Linda Goss, Maritsa Quijada-Dill and Polly Hartzell.