(l - r ) Jerry Coscia ’87 and Don Harnum

Sunny skies bathed the verdant fairways of Olde York Country Club in Chesterfield, N.J., as 175 golfers drove, pitched and putted their way toward a fun and successful show of support for Rider Athletics at the 24th Annual Golf Gala, presented by Stout’s Charter Service, on Monday, September 8.

Olde York, whose challenging course was designed by PGA legend Gary Player, played an elegant host for the event for the seventh year in a row. Always a popular affair, this year’s Golf Gala rewarded participants not only with a clear, dry, sunny day, but with gifts that included a Rider Athletics polo shirt by adidas, a souvenir photo of player foursomes, refreshments on the course, breakfast, lunch, a cocktail party and dinner.

Throughout the day, which featured morning and afternoon flights of golfers playing a “scramble,” or best-ball format, participants had the opportunity to compete for awards. Categories included straightest drive, longest drive for men and women, and closest to the pin on all four par-3 holes. Prizes were also awarded for the first- through fourth-place foursomes.

The winning foursome, sponsored by Westminster Wallpaper, consisted of Jerry Coscia ’87, Dan Faber, Mike Shevlin and Tom Nicell. The group carded a score of 56 (-15) on the par 71 course.

“The Rider Athletics Golf Gala is our largest fundraising and friend-raising event of the year and it has been a tremendous source of financial support over the years for our 20 Division I teams,” said Don Harnum, director of Athletics at Rider. “This year we had a terrific turnout of supporters, who all enjoyed a top-notch golf course in Olde York Country Club, great prizes and food, and picture-perfect weather.”

Golf Gala Committee members included:

• Kevin Bannon – Executive Director, Mercer County Park Commission
• Cathy Carter-Romero – Director of Publications at Rider University
• Jerry Coscia ’87 – Committee Chair – Wachovia Securities
• Tommy Dempsey – Head Basketball Coach at Rider University
• Ed Eget ’75 – Owner, Olde York Country Club
• Bob Hamer – Head Track & Field/Cross Country Coach at Rider University
• John Hangey ’93, M.A. ’97 – Associate Head Wrestling Coach at Rider University
• Don Harnum – Director of Athletics at Rider University
• Rubin Joyner ’73 – Director of the Equal Opportunity Program at Rider University 
• Lynn Milligan ’92, M.A. ’94 – Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Rider University
• Karen Moran – Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Rider University
• Mike Reca M.A. ’93 – Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services at Rider University
• Bill Roell ’94 – Associate Vice President & Controller at Rider University
• Lynn Rugg – Administrative Associate for Sports Information, Rider University Athletics
• Karin Torchia – Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations and Development and Senior Women’s Administrator at Rider University
• Cherie Voorhees-Carcaci – Senior Administrative Associate for Rider University Athletics