Memorial Fund

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

Steven Benevento was a Canoe Brook member who lost his life in a tragic auto accident in 2014. Following his passing, the Steven Benevento Memorial Fund was created by family and friends. In honor of Benevento’s passion and committment to education, a portion of the fund’s donations are sent to the New Jersey State Golf Association’s Caddie Scholarship Foundation. Each year, a Canoe Brook caddie receives a NJSGA scholarship in Benevento’s honor.

To contribute to this fund the Club auctions off our eight overnight guest rooms for our annual Canoe Brook Invitational and our Member-Member event. Combined, these tournaments draw over 400 participants and the bidding for guest rooms is always a highlight of each event. Over the course of two years the Club has been able to donate over $14,000 in auction proceeds to the Steven Benevento Memorial Fund.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

We hold the room auction during the Thursday evening dinner of our Invitational and the Thursday evening dinner of our Member-Member Tournament. During those dinners we auction off the eight guest rooms for the following year. One of our more outgoing members handles the bidding and the friendly competition is a nice addition to each event. It also helps us manage the issue of only have 8 overnight guest rooms to be used during each tournament.