“Pathfinder Village helps people find their
way in life to independence, success, and
maturity — all the things you want for your family.”
Marian Mullet | Founder of Pathfinder Village
Record Turnout for Pathfinder Tournaments
Edmeston, New York, September 21, 2022 ... Stormy weather segued into magical anniversary moments in Cooperstown this past Monday as Pathfinder Village, a livable community and service provider for people with intellectual disabilities, raised over $85,000 for scholarships through its Pathfinder Village Tennis Classic and the Pathfinder Village-Baseball Hall of Fame Golf Invitational.
The day of sports fundraisers concluded with recognition of The Clark Estates, the Clark Family, and The Otesaga Resort Hotel, which have been main sponsors through the golf event’s four decades. The dinner also featured a 40th-anniversary performance by the Village Handbell Choir and its new director, Amanda Simons. As a lead-up to an interview with new Hall of Famer Jim Kaat by Hall of Fame President Josh Rawitch, the handbell group performed “Take Me Out to The Ball Game” to a standing ovation. The evening also celebrated $15,000 raised to support the Hall’s educational programs.
“I am overwhelmed with the tremendous loyalty and support from our sponsors, community friends and family,” said Pathfinder’s President and Chief Executive Officer Paul C. Landers. “These events have raised nearly $3 million over 40 years for residential and student scholarships. This year, Pathfinder will award nearly $200,000 in scholarships to assist families in making their dreams a reality.”
A key part of the evening was a heartfelt talk by Michael Bruen of Purcellville, Va., whose son, Christopher, has benefited through the scholarship program that helps families who are seeking specialized services and quality community living settings for their loved ones with Down syndrome and developmental disabilities.
Scenes from the 2022 Golf Invitational
Scenes from the 2022 Tennis Classic
Earlier that afternoon, 24 amateur foursomes and regional PGA pros participated in the 40th annual Pathfinder Village-Baseball Hall of Fame Golf Invitational at The Otesaga’s lakeside Leatherstocking Golf Course. The golf round, which follows a two-best ball format, also featured Mr. Kaat on the 18th green. The legendary MLB pitcher, 16-time Gold Glove Winner, and broadcaster was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this past July.
Teams were called in due to lightning mid-round; scores were compiled based on nine completed holes. Winning teams represented sponsors Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, NBT Bank, NFP, and The Otesaga.
That morning, Pathfinder also organized its 13th annual Tennis Classic, which is hosted by the Cooperstown Country Club. Following round-robin, mixed-doubles matches with 26 players, the Flight A Winners were Dave Lemire and Sariya Sharp, who defeated Doug Willies and Chris Hulse (10-4). Flight B winners were Adam Critti and Cay Frank, who defeated Karen Kane and Jill Poulson (10-6). Play for both flights ended just as the storm rolled in over the tennis courts.
The Tennis Classic was made possible by Presenting Sponsors Pat and Bob Hanft, Cooperstown; Cameron and Doug Sokolik, Darien, Conn; Trophy Sponsors the Dairy Farmers of America, Kansas City and Syracuse; Strategic Financial Services, New Hartford; and Top Spin Sponsors Van Broughton Ramsey and Bob Nelson, Wharton, Texas, and other tennis enthusiasts. The event is organized by a volunteer committee of Charlie Kieler, Chris Hulse, and Jeanette Weldon and is chaired by Pat and Bob Hanft.
Major sponsors of the Golf Invitational include Presenting Sponsor NBT Bank, Norwich; Corporate Sponsor Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, Albany; Platinum Sponsor NYCM Insurance, Edmeston; and Diamond Sponsor Security Mutual Life Insurance Company, Binghamton. It is organized through a volunteer committee that includes Joe Meelan, Phil Lewis, Ken Meifert of the Hall of Fame, General Manager Marty Rosenthal of The Otesaga and is chaired by Leatherstocking Host Professional Tim Quirk and Daryl Forsythe, the former chairman of NBT Bank.
Golf Invitational Team Results (nine holes completed, scored against course par): First (-12): Erin Quirk, Denny Mirabito, Jeff Wait, Patrick Quinn with Pro Bob Meheran. Second (-11): Mike Hutcherson, Marc Tauber, Mark Grygiel, John Axtell with Pro Josh Hillman, representing NFP. Third (-11): Ed Michalek, G.P. Morgan, Charles Morgan, Tom Harding with Pro Dave Giacandino, representing Community Bank. Fourth (-9): Mike Thornhill, Joe Pucello, Andrew Vilacky, James Ferrara with Pro Bob Mucha, representing Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast; Fifth Place (TIE, -8): Dave Theleman, Matt Burrell, Tim Wilson, Mark DeTomaso with Pro Kevin Piecuch, representing NBT Bank; and Jevon Andros, Max Clinton, Bruce Ritchko, Kirk Robinson with Pro Kyle Segal representing The Otesaga.
Pathfinder Village is a private, internationally respected livable community and services provider in upstate New York and was founded in 1980 to provide people with Down syndrome and other disabilities an independent and fulfilling lifestyle. As it works to provide quality supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Village also offers highly successful educational, day services, pre-vocational, and outreach programs. To learn more, visit http://pathfindervillage.org, or visit our social media on Facebook and Instagram.