Putting for Dough - Local Charity Golf Outings

I love to golf. If possible I would play everyday of the week. I routinely travel near and far to experience all the great courses in and around our region and state. When we go away for vacation my clubs come with me. Golf has become a passion and an enjoyable past time for many individuals. But what makes it even more enjoyable is when you’re playing in one of the many benefit outings held each summer season. Benefit golf tournaments have proven to be a great way to raise money for any cause or an organization. Below are a few outings conducted by Troy organizations that are coming up and being a few are even being played at our own Frear Park. Sorry if I have overlooked your event, if I did please email me, jgordon003@nycap.rr.com, the events information and I will gladly add it to the list!

• On June 25th, the “Mayors Cup Charity Classic” will be held. This year the proceeds raised through the tournament will benefit Troy’s “Hook a Kid on Golf” initiative. This initiative is an introductory program for kids ages 8-15. Kids will be introduced to the rules and etiquette of the game, as well as take part in instructional classes on driving, iron play, chipping, and putting. This is a six week program that begins July 12th at Frear Park. In addition to the funds raised through the Mayors Cup, the program also accepts sponsors to help offset the $135 cost per child fee. Visit www.Troyny.gov for more information on this tournament and the “Hook a Kid on Golf” program.
  
  
• On July 11th, the 4th Annual “Big Mac” golf tournament will be conducted by the Lansingburgh Boys and Girls Club at the Fairways of Halfmoon. For 73 years the LB&GC has provided children with educational, social, and recreational activities to help prevent delinquency in the community. Services and activities offered include peer tutoring, academic support, a technology center equipped with 10 computers, a “Kids Café” open three afternoons a week, and after school snack provided twice a week. Each year operational costs continue to rise and money becomes increasingly tougher to raise. The golf tournament has become one the LB&GC’s top fundraisers and offers all those who attend a very enjoyable time. Call 235-4143 for more information on the 4th Annual “Big Mac” golf tournament.
  
  
• On July 11th, the Netter’s Fund Memorial Golf Outing will be held at Frear Park. The Netter’s Fund is a not-for-profit fund that aids in the education and prevention of drunk driving. Through-out the year the Netter’s Fund and their 23 local sponsors offer the Safe Ride Program. The safe ride program offers free rides to anyone who may have had a very enjoyable evening and has no business getting behind the wheel. As a not-for-profit organization the Netter’s Fund relies on donations from the community in addition to their Safe Ride sponsors to continue offering their programs. Visit www.netters.us for more information on the Memorial Golf Outing.
  
  
• On September 18th, the 14th Annual Veterans of Lansingburgh Golf Tournament will be held at Frear Park. Call 233-8656 for more information.

These are just a few of the hundreds of tournaments available this season. Generally these events are a half-day affair. Registration includes greens fees with a cart, sometimes lunch, a dinner, and an award ceremony to end the day. I find them to be well worth the money and a very enjoyable time. I would encourage you to participate in an event. You’ll have a great time supporting our local youth and community betterment programs. See out on the links!

Frear Park offers a great golf experience and great food!

Today marks the "official" opening of the Frear Park Municipal Golf Course even though the course actually opened for business last Friday. I had the opportunity to play 18 holes on Saturday (the front 9 twice because the back 9 was still closed) and the course is in great condition for early April. This excites me because the conditions can only get better which will make for a great season of golf in Troy. As a side note, one of my favorite holes, the par 5 7th, still offers one of the best vistas of the City and surrounding areas, it truly is priceless.

It’s become evident just how popular this course is. Nearly 50,000 rounds are played each year on the course and recently the 2010 Metroland Readers Poll named Frear Park as the second best golf course in the region behind Saratoga National. This is something we should be proud of because as avid golfers can attest there are a number of great courses in the Capital Region. The city continues to invest into course improvements making play more enjoyable. But most importantly they have kept the rates at a very reasonable level. And if you are a resident of Troy the city offers a resident ID pass so that those who live in Troy receive discounted greens fees (18 holes for just only $17 during the weekdays and $19 for weekends and holidays).

When the course was originally constructed it was just nine holes and then in 1964 the course was expanded to 18, all of which were designed by world renowned golf course designer Robert Trent Jones. Other fun facts and accolades include being named the best golf course in the Hudson Valley in 2003 by Hudson Valley Magazine and the original 22 of the 247 acres of land that make-up the park as we know it today were granted to the City of Troy in 1917 by the William Henry Frear Estate, if you have heard of the Frear's you would know that they are steeped in Troy history.

A visit to Frear Park wouldn’t be complete without a stop by the Park Pub Restaurant. The Park Pub is the golf courses 19th hole and on-site eatery offering a wide-verity of menu offerings. They have been operating at the course for several years now and by far they have been one of the best additions to the park as of late. If you haven’t eaten at the Park Pub you are missing out on one of the most talked about and highly recommended restaurants in Troy.