By Rob Potter
SOUTH FALLSBURG — The Orange County Probation Department has done it again.
For the third straight year, a foursome representing the Orange County Probation Department has won the Jake Cup.
The team of Tim Davidian, Vin Ellison, John Galdun and Mike Price captured the cup last Saturday by finishing first in the Law Enforcement Division at the 2008 Jake Classic Golf Tournament at the Tarry Brae Golf Course in South Fallsburg. Dividian, Ellison, Galdun and Price shot an 11-under par 61 on the 18-hole course.
A total of 31 teams participated in the sixth annual event.
The Jake Classic was established by the Sullivan County Probation Officers Association (SCPOA) to honor the late Jacob “Jake” E. Gunther III, who represented the 98th District in the New York State Assembly until his untimely passing in July 2003.
Each year, SCPOA uses proceeds from the tournament to award scholarships to high school seniors who will be going on to college and pursuing a career in law enforcement. Because the 98th Assembly District includes both Sullivan and Orange counties, SCPOA presents one scholarship to a senior from Sullivan County and one scholarship to a senior from Orange County.
This year’s scholarship recipients are Aubrey Hendrickson and Julianne Tomesheski. Hendrickson is a senior at Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville, while Tomesheski is a senior at Minisink Valley High School in Slate Hill.
In addition to the Law Enforcement Division, several teams competed in the Civilian Division. Three of those teams tied for first place by recording a 7-under par 65. After a match of cards, the Catskill Valley Homes team of Jared Proyect, Mike Novogrodsky and Robert Elliot was declared the winner.
Several other prizes were awarded, including:
Longest Drive (men): John Shapiro
Longest Drive (women): Beth Fanning
Closest to the Pin (men): Pat Donovan
Closest to the Pin (women): Kate Fanning
Closest to the Line (men): Tim TerBush
Closest to the Line (women): Rose Fanning
Following a chicken barbecue, dozens of raffle prizes which had been donated by area businesses were awarded.
A strong thunderstorm rolled in as Tournament Chairman Lou Setren and SCPOA members drew the raffle tickets and handed out the prizes to the lucky winners. But everyone quickly moved into the Tarry Brae Clubhouse and the prize drawing continued.
“We thank golf pro Glenn Sonnenschein and the entire staff here at Tarry Brae for hosting the Jake Classic again this year,” Setren said. “We thank all of the golfers.”
Setren noted that the tournament keeps getting bigger and better every year.
“We had 31 teams this year and we have grown so much that we might have to turn away some teams [next year],” he said. “Next year’s Jake Classic will be held here at Tarry Brae on the first Saturday in June, which is June 6th.”
Setren encouraged the golfers to sign up early for the 2009 Jake Classic. Some of them did so immediately following the awards ceremony.