Homeless benefit from golf fundraiser
More than 60 players from throughout the state of Connecticut participated in the fifteenth Northeast Golf Classic at Orange Hills Country Club in Orange on Friday, June 18 for the benefit of New Haven’s Immanuel Baptist Homeless Shelter. The annual tournament is the single largest fundraiser for the shelter which must obtain 25 percent of its yearly operating costs through private donations.
The results this year are happily on par. “It looks good, very good” observed Willy Holmes, a spokesperson for the event, on Friday afternoon. Although the number of actual players was down slightly from 2009, Mr. Holmes attributed this to the weakened economy and noted that contribution levels were excellent and that the Classic was on track to meet funding goals.
The golfers in the tournament comprised a cross-section of people from business, nonprofit and community organizations, professionals and others who contribute to the homeless shelter through their participation in Friday’s game.
Following the day on the links, shelter supporters enjoyed a celebratory dinner after which the 2010 John Shippen Jr. Award was given. Shippen, born in 1879, was one of nine children of a minister who was assigned to the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, New York. By the time Shinnecock Hills Golf Club opened in 1891, young Shippen was just about old enough to caddy. The rest is history. On July 18, 1896 John Shippen Jr. became the first African-American to play in the U.S. Open. He remained a highly respected golf professional until 1960, notwithstanding the obstacles he encountered because of his race.
This year James Gatling, President and CEO of New Opportunities Inc., a community action organization, is being honored as the recipient of the Shippen Award for his contributions to charity golf and to the community at large, according to Mr. Holmes. Dr. Gatling has been part of New Opportunities since 1979, which now serves the Greater Waterbury, Meriden and Torrington areas.
