State College, PA- At the challenging Totfrees Resort, four golfers representing Sheetz Inc. claimed the title of 2024 Champions at the 19th annual Pat Houser Golf Tournament. Hosted by the Skills Foundation, the event raised over $30,000 to assist people with intellectual disabilities supported by Skills of Central PA in 17 counties.
Competing in a “shamble” format, 22 teams squared off in the tournament that memorializes a founding member of the Skills Board of Directors, Pat Houser. Besides the chasing the title of 2024 Champions, the golfers also had the chance to challenge one another in various other contests throughout the day.
The “longest drive competition” was won by Stephanie Bell from the 2nd tee box. The “longest putt contest” was won by Brian Randolph on the 18th green, and the “closest to the pin” award went to Chris Albright, landing 6′ 3″ from hole 10. Joel Confer Toyota offered $10,000 cash to any contestant that could land a “hole in one.” However, the huge prize went unclaimed, in spite of some great efforts that included three competitors landing just feet from the pin at green number 10 (a par 3 hole).
Jack Wagner, Ryan Pugh, Jason Nagy, and Jonathan Madey comprised the winning team from Sheetz. Madey also won the $500 UPMC Cash Golfer Gift, in a random drawing. Finishing second overall, was the UPMC Altoona Team of Tim Balconi, Dan Casillo, and Adam Worthing. The third place scorecard belonged to Team FNB Wealth Management, with members Shane Crawford, Gavin Howe, Vince Strugala, and Rob Lattanzio.
A special raffle was conducted to raise additional funds, giving all those who purchased a ticket the chance to win a week-long stay at a beach house in Ocean Isle, North Carolina. The drawing took place at the conclusion of the golf outing, and Shari Brown, from Howard, PA was the lucky winner.