17th Annual Bobby Bonds Memorial Scholarship Tournament . . . Pay it Forward
The 17th Annual Bobby Bonds Golf Tournament, sponsored by New Opportunities for Waterbury, was held Monday, September 12 at the Waterbury Country Club.
This tournament again drew a large field of golfers, all here to honor the memory of Bobby Bonds and to support the tournament that Bobby Bonds started as a way of giving back to the community that was so supportive of him when he played here as a member of the Waterbury Giants, AA affiliate in 1967.
Former friends, fellow ball players and friends from all over the country were here to support the tournament started by Bobby Bonds, and to assist the New Opportunities for Waterbury Group with their primary fundraiser.
Since it's inception, the proceeds of this tournament have gone towards scholarship awards for deserving Greater Waterbury Students of Afro-Latin-Indian Heritage. The scholarships are awarded with the understanding that the student be enrolled as a full time student, pursuing a 4-year degree at an accredited University.
The people at NOW, follow closely the progress of their recipients, as the students must maintain at least a C+ average to keep the scholarship. Since 1985, NOW, Inc has awarded over $600,000 in scholarships and awards to over 250 students. Over this period, over 85% of the students that have received these scholarships have completed their degrees and have gone on to rewarding careers as doctors, lawyers accountants and public service employees. Some of these people return to the tournament to support the cause that gave them a chance.
The 'golfers' in our group were Derek Saminari, Ed Silva, Vernon Austin and John Ferguson. Our groups' sponsor, Hon Michael Ferguson was unable to make the event this year, having been recently appointed as a Magistrate in the CT Court system. His abilities were greatly missed.
The 17th Annual Bobby Bonds Memorial Scholarship Tournament was a fun day for many of the attendees, but the real winners will be the kids that get a chance at a college education, because a few people played golf on a Monday afternoon.
17th Annual Bobby Bonds Memorial Scholarship Tournament . . . Pay it Forward
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