Silo Ridge - Harlem Valley Times

6/26/2008 - Memorial golf tournament to raise scholarship funds

Amenia
Memorial golf tournament to raise scholarship funds
6/26/2008
By: Jennifer Barry, Staff Reporter

The friends and family of Thomas J. Berlinghoff have been working hard to keep the memory of the young Webutuck soccer star alive by putting together several fundraisers to purchase a scoreboard in his honor.

The 2002 Webutuck graduate died at the young age of 23 after suffering from a brain aneurysm late in January.

Berlinghoff was a talented athlete, playing varsity soccer level all four years of his high school career; during his senior year he served as a captain for the team.

Friends, family and fellow classmates were all deeply affected by the sudden loss and established the Thomas J. Berlinghoff Memorial Foundation to purchase a scoreboard for the Webutuck Soccer Field.

They also worked to create a scholarship fund for collegebound soccer players from the Webutuck community.

According to Webutuck Athletic Director Mike Riddle, the scoreboard has now been ordered and will be ready for the kickoff of the soccer season in fall.

Several fundraisers have been held to bring that scoreboard into reality. The first was organized with the local Millerton McDonald's in May.

McDonald's offered to donate 10 percent of food sales between 5 and 8 p.m. on the day of the fundraiser.

Of the $3,000 in sales during that period, McDonald's donated $300 to the Berlinghoff Memorial Foundation.

An additional $800 was collected in a donation bucket and $300 in checks were written.

Businesses in the area also donated $1,650 during that week.

In early June, a barbecue was held to raise further funds for the foundation.

The Grand Union donated all food and the foundation received $535.

Now, coming up in July, there will be a chance for golf lovers to show their support of Berlinghoff and the memorial foundation.

The Thomas J. Berlinghoff Memorial Golf Tournament is set to tee off on Monday, July 21, at the Silo Ridge Country Club in Amenia.

All golfers interested in participating in the tournament must submit their registration forms and fees by the deadline date of Thursday, July 3.

The cost is $125 per golfer and slots are expected to sell fast.

The tournament will be a Four Man Scramble format and will include 18 holes of golf.

There will also be a "Closest to the Pin" and a "Straightest Drive" competition for both men and women.

A raffle will be held, and a barbecue lunch and dinner will be provided.

Checks can be made payable to the Thomas J. Berlinghoff Memorial Golf Tournament

All net proceeds will benefit the Thomas J. Berlinghoff Memorial Fund and will now go toward creating a sustainable scholarship fund in Berlinghoff's name.

Registration forms and checks can be sent to Thomas J. Berlinghoff Memorial Golf Tournament, c/o Kathleen Berlinghoff, 43 Stateline Rd. , Millerton, NY 12546.

For registration forms, contact Nancy Zerbato at 518-789-3705.

For more information on the golf tournament or on how to support the foundation's efforts, contact Kathy Berlinghoff at 914-456-6216.