HITS Foundation supported by couples’ golf tournament at Concord Crest Golf Course July 14

Golfers from all over Western New York swarmed to Concord Crest Golf Course on Saturday, July 14 to participate in a couples’ golf tournament.

The event was held to support Buffalo Sabres Right Winger Patrick Kaleta’s Helping Individuals to Smile Foundation, the stated goal of which is to “provide financial, facility and program support for underprivileged children and adults.” Couples, friends and individual players, 56 in total, turned out to get their golf game on.

After groups of participants headed to their assigned holes around the course to begin the tournament, a shotgun start at noon gave the go-ahead to start golfing. Concord Crest co-owner Gail Ploetz, who drove a cart full of drinks around the property, kept participants’ whistles wet and was on hand to give directions, when needed.

A sign at each hole identified the hole sponsor. HITS Foundation Member Audrey Seeley, the attorney for the village of Springville, explained that all of the sponsor proceeds went to support of the HITS Foundation.

A 50/50 raffle was won by Frank Larracuente from the RA Mercer Group, who donated his winnings back to the HITS Foundation. Sally Zerfas of West Valley took home an autographed No. 36 Patrick Kaleta Buffalo Sabres jersey.

When all 18 holes had been played, the golfers celebrated with a steak dinner.

“We are hoping to make this an annual event,” Seeley said, adding that the HITS Foundation would like to bring the tournament back to Springville, next year. “We really liked the course that we were at. People had a lot of fun there, so next year, we will look at going back to Concord Crest.”

All of the proceeds from the tournament were designated to the foundation and to support its various programs, including its annual adopt-a-family holiday event and the building of a sports complex in the village of Springville.

“We want people to get a real awareness of the complex that we are raising money to bring into the community,” Seeley said, noting that the facility will include more than an ice rink. “The foundation can’t stress enough that it’s ... much bigger than that. It will have a great impact on the community.”

Once completed, the facility will be a space for many types of sporting events, including football, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, some indoor baseball and challenger leagues. “Seniors that want to be able to get out of their homes in the winter can come and walk around the [indoor turf] and have a place to get out of the cold to exercise,” Seeley said. The complex will also offer educational and parenting programs. “It’s not just for kids, but it will also be for adults, as well,” she added.

The Buffalo Bisons hosted the First Annual Bisons Outing with Patrick Kaleta on June 29. Kaleta threw out the first pitch, hung out in the announcer’s booth for an inning and signed autographs for fans. A portion of the ticket sales was donated to the HITS Foundation.

That evening, families camped out on the field overnight to enjoy a movie on Coca-Cola Field’s jumbo screen. In the morning, they partook of coffee and donuts, courtesy of Tim Horton’s. “Want to say thank you to all my fans who came out and supported my HITS Foundation and the Buffalo Bisons!” Kaleta posted on the HITS Foundation Facebook page the next day. “Had a great time and hope to do it next year!”

Upcoming HITS Foundation events include the organization’s largest fundraiser, a golf outing scheduled for Aug. 20 at Briarwood Country Club in Hamburg. Anyone can participate in the event.Registration is due Aug. 20; a registration form is available on the HITS Foundation website. “We are still looking for sponsors for the outing and donations for the silent auction,” Seeley said.

For more information on the HITS Foundation, visit www.hitsfoundation.com or www.facebook.com/HitsFoundation or email hitsfoundation@gmail.com.