POUGHKEEPSIE – The twenty-third annual “Tony Cappillino Golf Tournament” was played throughout the river district in Poughkeepsie on Sunday afternoon to raise money for those in need. Approximately 160 golfers participated in the pub crawl golf tourney.
According to Mike Reed, proprietor of Noah’s Ark, the bar crawl tournament originated to raise money to offset healthcare costs for a Hobnobbin’ bartender stricken with cancer. Over the course of the next few years, The River District Association teamed up with Dutchess Beer Distributors, owned by the Cappillino family, to help grow the event. The event took on the name of Tony C. in honor of the founder of Dutchess Beer, the local Budweiser distributor.
The miniature golf tournament is spread out over eight establishments in the River District including the Shamrock Association, Mahoney’s, The Derby (with two holes), Caffe Aurora, Noah’s Ark, Milanese Restaurant, Amici’s, and the Italian Center. Participants pay their registration fee and then, like a regular golf tourney, they head to their assigned hole to tee-off.
“This is a tremendous event not only for the establishments but for the community and the charities we help,” said Joe Rabasco, owner of the Derby. Reed added “The money we have raised has gone to help countless families and charities over the years including Sparrow’s Nest and the Renegades Pitch for Kids program. To date, we have raised and distributed close to $300,000.” Emmett Woods, owner of Mahoney’s called the annual event “a great time for everyone involved. Poughkeepsie really comes together to help charities.” Due to the chill in the air, Mahoney’s provided a shuttle van to move golfers from one hole to the next.
The Shamrock Association, a private club that raises money throughout the year for various charities started participating a few years ago and looks forward to the annual event. “Our members step up to do our part for charity at every turn – it’s what we do,” said Marty
Fralick, the club’s president. Al Nowak, Shamrock Vice-president and bartender for the day added “Our members are honored to open our club up to the public for events like this. We are proud to help draw people to Poughkeepsie.”
The unofficial tally for Sunday’s tournament which culminated in a banquet at Mahoney’s raised more than ten thousand dollars according to Mike Reed.
