An enthusiastic group of 103 golfers turned out on May 5 to participate in the ACS 2022 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament at Greate Bay Country Club in Somers Point and helped raise nearly $46,000 for the school’s educational programs and scholarships. This year’s event was the school’s 17th golf fundraiser since 1999.
Nestled amidst a week of rainy days, the golfers enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day on the course. The golfers included school parents, grandparents, local pastors, alumni, alumni parents, business owners, and several ACS staff members and high school students. As the golfers got ready for the tournament, school parent Jeff Montemurro donated his services as a physical therapist to provide athletic stretching to prevent injuries. The golfers then went on to compete in several contests at different holes throughout the day, including a very popular putting contest, which resulted in a six-way tie that led to a putt-off.
After the tournament, golfers were joined by family members and friends to enjoy a Cinco-de-Mayo-themed Appetizer Reception, Dinner, and Silent Auction in the clubhouse. The dinner tables were colorfully decorated and featured paintings of flowers, trees, Armenian crosses or khatchkars, and other original artwork created by 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th,and 9th grade students in Mrs. Mirakian’s and Mrs. Scardilli’s art classes.
11th grader Reyna Lewis welcomed everyone to the dinner and gave the invocation. Lewis and four other high school students — Maddie DeNick, Tommy Ellison, Moges Johnson, and Cruz Lewis — served as volunteers at the tournament throughout the day. As dinner got underway, several golfers competed in the putt-off contest as dinner guests looked on and cheered. Beacon Evangelical Free Church senior pastor Pete Nelson took first place and received two tickets to a 2022-2023 Philadelphia 76ers basketball game next season, donated by ACS parents Scott and Michelle Johnson.
After dinner, the guests watched a new video that focused on the school’s spiritual emphasis theme — “Deeply Rooted” — and featured interviews with ACS students and alumni talking about how their educational experience at ACS has enabled them to be rooted in their relationship with Christ and in their knowledge of God’s Word. Chief School Administrator Karen Oblen followed up by talking about the four pillars of a Christian education, which included incorporating a Biblical worldview into every subject taught.
“We thank you for your support and pray that you would consider partnering with us in the future as we continue to educate and train up our students in the Lord,” Oblen said. Board of Directors member George Quinn, who was a high school teacher at ACS for 10 years during the 1980s, spoke about the vital importance of Christian education in training up young people to be a light in their community and encouraged the dinner guests to make a donation to support the school’s ministry.
The Silent Auction, held during the reception and dinner, raised $6,455, slightly more than last year’s auction, according to Silent Auction Committee Chair PJ Santos. “We are very grateful to our school parents who donated to create wonderful gift baskets for the auction and to other volunteers who helped us obtain so many donations from local businesses,” Santos said. ACS Event Coordinator Christian Delacruz recognized and thanked the golfers, sponsors, volunteers, and staff for helping make the Cougar Classic event a success and closed the program in prayer.
CLICK HERE to view a video recap of photos from the Golf Tournament.
Congratulations to the golfers who took home the top prizes:
1st place foursome: Nate Acito, Damien Correa, Josh Kelley, and Duane Nixon
2nd place foursome: Frank Dominici, Mike Reynolds, Larry Ross, and Bob Wihelm
3rd place foursome: Ed Hale, Ed Kozmor, Chris Locatelle, and Dan Mitchell, of the Mitchell Realty Group
4th place foursome: Jeff Bennett, Owen Homeny, Ken Meredith, and Oserdahl
Closest to the Pin, Hole #3: Jen DiMaio and Drew Carney
Longest Drive, Hole #7: Jen DiMaio and Josh Kelley
1st Place, Putting Contest: Pete Nelson
Thank you to our Golfer Prize Donors:
Aaron Bada’s Golf & Sport Performance Club
Avalon Golf Club
Ballamor Golf Club
Greate Bay Country Club
Harbor Pines Golf Club
The Johnson Family
Linwood Country Club
Stone Harbor Golf Club
Twisted Dune Golf Club
CLICK HERE for more photos and information about the May 5 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament.
