MAJOR SPONSORS BOLSTER FUNDS FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Westmoreland Insurance Services/Burrell Group Inc. (Tournament)
Engineered Air-Pittsburgh (Dinner)
Industrial Automation and Control (Lunch)
LaRusse’ Distributing Co (Beverage Cart)
Bolstered by four major sponsors, and a field of 21 groups, the Alle-Kiski Society raised $9,450 at its Aug. 10 Alumni Golf Scramble at the Links at Spring Church. The society reaped a record profit for the second consecutive year. The total represented a 44 percent increase over the $6,500 that was set a year ago.
Westmoreland Insurance Services/Burrell Group Inc. in New Kensington was “The Pride” tournament sponsor. Engineered Air-Pittsburgh, a Canadian-based designer and manufacturer of heating, ventilating, and air conditioning units, was the “For the Future” dinner sponsor. Industrial Automation and Control, a Freeport company that provides engineering solutions for control system problems, was “The Nittany” lunch sponsor. LaRusse’ Distributing Co., a Tarentum-based beer distributor, was the “Roaring Lion” beverage cart sponsor.
In addition, 18 individuals or businesses signed-up as tee sponsors, including 12 sponsors who also brought a foursome to the outing. Those sponsorships helped to swell the field to a record 83 golfers. There were seven groups from the New Kensington campus, the most since the event was established in 2000 by Bill Salem, former president of the society.
Kerry Kelly, current president of the society, attributed the increase in profits to the additional support from the campus and the community, as well as the venue.
“The Alle-Kiski Society was able to increase our proceeds because of the turnout by faculty and staff and the alumni and business community,” said Kelly, who begins his second year as president. “We hope to build on these relationships and continue to grow the tournament. The Spring Church course was in great shape, and the staff was well organized and very accommodating.”
Besides presiding over a record-profit, Kelly presided over the winning team. His foursome, DJ Double K, came in at 15–under, two shots clear of runner-up, Bills are Due, the 2010 champion. The victors -- Chris Broberg, Ryan Wilson, Cory Stump and Kelly -- became the first two-time winner of the 13–year old tournament. DJ Double K last turned the trick in 2009. The tournament scoring record of 16-under was established a year ago by Minuteman Press-Hyde Park.
Proceeds from the scramble are earmarked for the Alle-Kiski Society Endowed Scholarship at Penn State New Kensington that funds yearly awards to campus undergraduates. For the 2012-13 year, the society will award $3,200 in scholarships to campus students. Since 1998, $33,000 has been awarded to 43 students.
And in an effort to boost the amount of scholarship money in the future, the society has pledged $25,000 to increase the principal of its endowment from its current total of $51,000 to $76,000 during the current University-wide fundraising effort, "For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.
The 14th edition of the Alumni Scramble is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at the Links at Spring Church.
For photos of the scramble, visit http://psnk.smugmug.com/ online.
For a list of sponsors and golfers, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Information/News/44684.htm#NEWS44684 online.