by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ

Manalapan, NJ — A day of golf, a prime rib dinner and drawings for gifts all contributed to a fun day for 110 golfers and another 18 who arrived for dinner, helping to raise funds for horsemen in need through the 15th annual SBOANJ golf outing at Gambler Ridge Golf Course in Cream Ridge, N.J., on Monday, July 12.

Golfing honors went to trainer Jeff Webster for the longest drive. He received an IPod Nano. Closest to the Pin winner was trainer Randy Beeckman whose prize was a Sony Portable DVD Player. Best Foursome honors went to the quartet of Shay Cowan, Katie Rupert, Chris Riley and Chris Cowan, who received a $100 gift certificate to the new Luchento’s Restaurant in Millstone, N.J. Most Honest Foursome for the highest score went to four golfers from Joie De Vie Farm — Marty O’Hare, James Pusey, Perry Soderberg and Henrik Lundell. They were presented with a free foursome at Gambler Ridge.

Two fundraising efforts yielded more than $800 for benevolence — the 50-50 and an auction of two tickets to Yankees Stadium for a New York-Kansas City game donated by SBOANJ director Bob Boni. The winning bid of $400 was made by trainer Ross Croghan. The 50-50 winner was Illinois visitor Deb Burgett.

Dennis Watson won the drawing for the Premier Trainer Jog Cart, donated by Al Eggert of Pennsbury Enterprises, Penndel, Pa. All the entry fees for that drawing benefited the Horsemen’s Benevolent Fund.

Everyone admired but no one took home the 2010 Mercedes-Benz 30 WZ Sport Sedan, which was the Hole in One prize, courtesy of Prestige Motors of Paramus, N.J.

Sponsorships, as always, were key to the success of the fund raising effort. Katz/Pierz Inc. was a Platinum Sponsor. Silver Sponsors were Meadowlands Racetrack, Newport Graphics/John DiSomma, Freehold Raceway, Clarksburg Inn, LaFerla Group-UBS Financial Services, Sterns & Weinroth, Loomis Insurance, Ross Croghan Stables, Valley High Stables, Joie de Vie Farm, Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney and New Jersey Community Bank. Northwood Bloodstock was a Bronze Sponsor. Other sponsors included Marc D. Goldberg, Electric Battery Company, Gateway Pine Shavings, John and Paula Campbell, Nick Salenetri, and Irv & Vic Sportswear.

The event was co-chaired by SBOANJ directors Eddie Razzetti and Bob Baggitt, Sr.