Golf Classic raises nearly $105,000 for student scholarships

Published 06.27.2023

Photos by Becky J. Shaner, senior manager of donor relations and special events, and Larry D. Kauffman, digital publishing specialist/photographer

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    The 37th Annual Penn College Foundation Golf Classic, featuring eight-time PGA Tour and nine-time PGA Tour Champions winner Fred Funk, raised $104,215 for student scholarships at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

    Including this year’s effort, the Penn College Foundation Golf Classic Scholarship Fund now totals $2 million. Proceeds from the Golf Classic, along with accumulated investment income, created the endowed scholarship fund, one of the foundation’s largest.

    Fred Funk, an eight-time PGA Tour and nine-time PGA Tour Champions winner, holds an exhibition for participants in the 37th Annual Penn College Foundation Golf Classic. The June 19 event at the Williamsport Country Club raised $104,215 for student scholarships.
    Fred Funk, an eight-time PGA Tour and nine-time PGA Tour Champions winner, holds an exhibition for participants in the 37th Annual Penn College Foundation Golf Classic. The June 19 event at the Williamsport Country Club raised $104,215 for student scholarships.

    Funk, who has played professional golf since earning his tour card in 1989, enjoyed his biggest PGA Tour win in 2005, capturing The Players Championship at the age of 48, the oldest winner of the prestigious event. He has competed for the United States in two Presidents Cups and one Ryder Cup. He continues to compete in the PGA Tour Champions, ranking 15th all-time in tour winnings.

    As part of the day’s events, held June 19 at the Williamsport Country Club, Funk offered an exhibition and interacted with teams playing a best-ball tournament. Awards were presented at a dinner for players and their guests.

    “We are so thankful for the community and industry support of this event for the past 37 years, which is a true testament to their commitment and dedication to our students and our mission,” said Kyle A. Smith, senior executive director of college relations and the Penn College Foundation.  “The scholarship support generated from this event helps us provide students accessibility to our nationally ranked applied technology education, and to help close the skills gap across the industries we serve.”

    Fred Funk

    Title sponsor for the event was Compass Group North America

    Other event sponsors were:

    Tournament sponsor: Hudock Capital Group LLC.

    Pro sponsors: EQT Corp., Fisher Mining Co., Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc., The Hartman Group, M&T Bank, Pneu-Dart Inc. and TurnKey Electric Inc.

    Hospitality sponsors: Baker Tilly US, Jersey Shore State Bank, The Liberty Group and Wayne Township Landfill.

    Gift sponsors: Eastern Alliance Insurance Group, GBA Enterprises T/A Real Estate Excel, Susquehanna Trailways and Woodlands Bank.

    Closest-to-the-Pin Awards: Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships, Fairfield Auto Group, and Mark and Connie Sitler.

    Golf Ball Drop: Allison Crane & Rigging.

    For the ball-drop event, Penn College President Michael J. Reed ascended by crane with Funk to drop the golf balls used in the fundraising activity. Donors purchased numbered golf balls that were dropped from aloft, with prizes awarded to those whose entries landed closest to the pin.

    Penn College Foundation Golf Committee members coordinating this year’s event were Aubrey Alexander, Larry Allison Jr., Dave Coates, John Confer, George Girio, Michael Hudock Jr., Phil Johnson, Christopher Keiser, Allen Kiessling, Raymond Mattie, Rick Quigley, Paul Rooney, Mark Sitler and Blair Soars.

    For more about giving opportunities at Penn College, call 570-320-8020.

    For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education and a special mission affiliate of Penn State,  email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.

    The guest pro dazzles the crowd with his tour-tested form ...
    The guest pro dazzles the crowd with his tour-tested form ...
    ... and shares pointers with Matt Sebastian from Young Industries Inc.
    ... and shares pointers with Matt Sebastian from Young Industries Inc.
    Personalized keychains were fabricated for players by Penn College automated manufacturing & machining faculty and students.
    Personalized keychains were fabricated for players by Penn College automated manufacturing & machining faculty and students.
    As chair of the Penn College Foundation's board of directors, John M. Confer says he regularly sees "the difference scholarship support makes in the lives of hardworking college students."
    As chair of the Penn College Foundation's board of directors, John M. Confer says he regularly sees "the difference scholarship support makes in the lives of hardworking college students."
    Funk and Reed prepare to ascend for the ball drop, billed as "a simple yet fun way to support Penn College students."
    Funk and Reed prepare to ascend for the ball drop, billed as "a simple yet fun way to support Penn College students."
    A presidential photo captures the VIP view from the top.
    A presidential photo captures the VIP view from the top.
    A test luckily found the hole below ...
    A test luckily found the hole below ...
    ... which was good news for the official drop that followed! Balls were $20 each or $100 for seven, and the purchasers of the three balls falling nearest to the pin from the higher-altitude launchpad won prizes.
    ... which was good news for the official drop that followed! Balls were $20 each or $100 for seven, and the purchasers of the three balls falling nearest to the pin from the higher-altitude launchpad won prizes.
    Funk (center) joins a foursome from Compass Group North America, the title sponsor.
    Funk (center) joins a foursome from Compass Group North America, the title sponsor.
    The team from Allison Crane & Rigging lines up at the tee. From left are baseball hall-of-famer Mike Mussina (whose son is on the Wildcat golf team); Michael Richardson; Funk; Jerry Mahonski (a 1987 alum who serves on the college's HVAC Technology Advisory Committee); and Larry Allison.
    The team from Allison Crane & Rigging lines up at the tee. From left are baseball hall-of-famer Mike Mussina (whose son is on the Wildcat golf team); Michael Richardson; Funk; Jerry Mahonski (a 1987 alum who serves on the college's HVAC Technology Advisory Committee); and Larry Allison.
    Player sponsors are among those whose generosity is key to the Golf Classic's historic success.
    Player sponsors are among those whose generosity is key to the Golf Classic's historic success.
    Golfers from BRIX Design Group watch the pro's tee shot.
    Golfers from BRIX Design Group watch the pro's tee shot.
    Representatives of Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships (from left) – Randy Crist, Adam Alexander, Aubrey Alexander and Joseph Reighard – pose for a team photo with Funk.
    Representatives of Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships (from left) – Randy Crist, Adam Alexander, Aubrey Alexander and Joseph Reighard – pose for a team photo with Funk.
    Body language that says, "Soooooooo close!"
    Body language that says, "Soooooooo close!"
    George Girio, a scholarship donor and member of the Golf Classic Committee, volunteers his time.
    George Girio, a scholarship donor and member of the Golf Classic Committee, volunteers his time.
    Old Glory flies from an Allison crane.
    Old Glory flies from an Allison crane.
    Team members from sponsor Young Industries Inc. – Steve Kelchner (in blue) and Tyler Thompson – congratulate Funk on a hole-in-one.
    Team members from sponsor Young Industries Inc. – Steve Kelchner (in blue) and Tyler Thompson – congratulate Funk on a hole-in-one.
    A well-played approach shot from Team UPMC
    A well-played approach shot from Team UPMC
    A TurnKey Electric Inc. golfer lines up a putt.
    A TurnKey Electric Inc. golfer lines up a putt.
    Steve and Mary Ann Johnson on the green ... (yes, he sunk it!)
    Steve and Mary Ann Johnson on the green ... (yes, he sunk it!)
    The southpaw from Glenshaw, President Reed tees off on No. 10 ...
    The southpaw from Glenshaw, President Reed tees off on No. 10 ...
    ... a drive that put him in the running for "closest to the pin" honors.
    ... a drive that put him in the running for "closest to the pin" honors.
    Shown retrieving his ball after a birdie putt, Reed later told guests at dinner that Funk's morning advice paid off in what was termed "the best shot of his life!"
    Shown retrieving his ball after a birdie putt, Reed later told guests at dinner that Funk's morning advice paid off in what was termed "the best shot of his life!"
    Funk is flanked by Dave and Maggie Roche from Roche Financial Inc. (left) and Ed and Linda Alberts.
    Funk is flanked by Dave and Maggie Roche from Roche Financial Inc. (left) and Ed and Linda Alberts.
    Reed and Paul Rooney, a member of the event committee, share a laugh as Funk recalls the president's stellar shot.
    Reed and Paul Rooney, a member of the event committee, share a laugh as Funk recalls the president's stellar shot.
    Rooney also presided over the auction of such items as Pittsburgh Steelers tickets, a Penn State football tailgate package and a jersey signed by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.
    Rooney also presided over the auction of such items as Pittsburgh Steelers tickets, a Penn State football tailgate package and a jersey signed by Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.
    In after-dinner remarks, Funk animatedly shares his thoughts on the day.
    In after-dinner remarks, Funk animatedly shares his thoughts on the day.

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