The Chickahominy Reunion Association is looking forward to their 22nd annual golf outing on Sept 15 at Hampshire Country Club in Mamaroneck.
Davd D’Andrea, who has been a part of the CRA for 21 years, said the organization originated as a small group of friends from the neighborhood during a day of golf. Each of them contributed a small amount that totaled $500 to go toward a scholarship.
“It was all started by Nino Secci, Larry Evaristo, Joe Ricardi and Frank Batista,” D’Andrea recalled. “Joe Riccardi is the only remaining founding member.”
“They had dinner and lunch – nothing fancy,” D’Andea recalled, adding that the men each chipped in a little bit that day.
Not long after, D’Andrea got involved.
“Since most of the founders passed, Frank (Cortese) me, Frank Petise Jr, and Anthony Angotto have taken the ball and run with it.”
“I love helping this community. I’ll take it to my grave,” he said, adding, “I rolled my sleeves up and since then we have given quite a bit for scholarships over the years.”
The golf outing has blossomed over the years into a popular event with a significant annual donation to the scholarship fund for Chickahominy youth.
D’Andrea said that Frank Cortese has been the CRA president for the past seven years.
“He’s doing a great job,” he said, adding that the CRA has raised about $200,000 altogether and given it out in amounts of $1,000 to $2,000 scholarships to Hamilton Avenue or Chickahominy youth.
D’Andrea explained that the students who receive the scholarships don’t necessarily have the highest grades, though some do, but they all have an impressive record of community service in school or at church.
While the CRA did not hold their golf outing last year, the scholarship effort continued nonetheless.
In 2020 the CRA gave out two scholarships – one for $1,500 and one for $2,500 – at their annual Memorial Day event.
D’Andrea said after the pandemic the CRA will return to funding six or seven scholarships annually.
As for the Sept 15 golf outing, D’Andea said it is close to maxed out in terms of golfers as they have almost 100 registered.
“Lunch is outdoors under big tent on a big terrace. So is dinner and golf,” he said.
“We have more golfers than we’ve had 5 years so far. We also have a huge raffle with beautiful prizes and the food at Hampshire Country Club is outstanding,” he said adding that they’ve returned to the Hampshire Club for five years.
“We have two vehicles to win for a ‘hole in one,’ a truck and a car,” D’Andea said, explaining that the hole-in-one is typically from a distance of about 175 yards.
The overall event sponsor is Scott Frantz. Corporate sponsors are Neri’s Bakery, Vitti Construction, Coxe & Graziano Funeral Home and Greenwich Tile.
While the golfing is almost sold out, D’Andrea said the CRA still seeks hole sponsors.
“We’re looking forward to getting back on track and catching up,” D’Andrea added. “It’s an exceptional cause.”
Anyone who would like information on sponsoring a hole for the golf outing should check out the CRA’s website.