Golfers ‘chip’ in for charity

BOSTON CORNER — The Undermountain Golf Course hosted the Adopt-A-Family Golf Tournament on Saturday, July 16, to raise money for the popular holiday charity.The Adopt-A-Family program provides clothing, toys and other Christmas presents to families who are struggling to make ends meet. The program has also expanded to give food, eyeglasses and summer camp tuition to some families in need.Last year, the program gave Christmas presents to 325 children, half of whom were “adopted out,” or personally taken care of by an individual or business.According to the longtime head of Adopt-A-Family, Stacey Moore, the program was started 18 years ago by Mariley Najdek to help families who were part of Astor Head Start, a federally funded preschool development program for low-income families. It has since grown to include any family that lives within the Webutuck and Pine Plains school districts.This year, more than 85 participants played in the golf tournament.“It’s packed today, which is good to see,” said Judy Westfall, one of the tournament’s players.The tournament was a shotgun start — meaning all players start at the same time at different holes, then rotate until they all play every hole — and was played in two waves to accommodate all of the participants.The golfers played nine holes, then enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers fresh off the grill.“Couldn’t ask for a better day than this,” said Carl Stahovec, glancing over the sunny golf course. “It’s all for a good cause and that’s what it’s all about. We’re fortunate enough to be out here.”“You get to associate with some people you haven’t seen in quite a while,” said Stahovec’s teammate, Don Tuncy.This year was the tournament’s first outing after it took a few years hiatus. Prior to the break, the tourney ran annually for roughly a decade.Stephen Valyou participated in the tournament with his son, 6-year-old Nathaniel, who was the day’s youngest player.Valyou signed up after his son showed an interest in learning how to play golf. Valyou played all nine holes using a handicapped-accessible golf cart loaned by the Copake Country Club.Nathaniel, who had first held a golf club only two days earlier, showed a great talent for the game and hit a birdie on the eighth hole, even though he insisted that being the youngest one didn’t give him any advantages over the other golfers. He said he was happy to be out on the green with his dad and thought the game was really fun.“He showed a lot more patience that I thought he would,” said Valyou. “He had a good time being together [with me] and being part of a team.”Valyou also noted that he was glad to see the community come together to support and help the less fortunate.Valyou and “NASCAR” Dave MacMillan took over organizing the tournament this year.“That man’s heart is so huge. He’s just got a huge, huge heart. If there is a problem, he will find a solution for it,” Moore said of MacMillan.Moore also credited the Mac- Arthurs, who own the Undermountain Golf Course, for their support and help in making the tournament a success.Moore estimated that the tournament raised roughly a third of the funds needed for the Adopt-A-Family Christmas program.“I feel it’s a great day already. I know it doesn’t get better than this,” she said.

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