PTHA’s Turning for Home, Inc. Golf Outing a “Great Time”

May 3, 2022

Around the Ovals, Backstretch Buzz, Events, NEWS, Turning for Home

The PTHA’s first Turning for Home,Inc. Golf Outing in ten years was a huge success last Thursday at the Bensalem Township Country Club. The course was filled with our Horsemen, Sponsors, friends and family as we enjoyed a sunny, albeit windy, Spring day. After PTHA Executive Director Jeff Matty welcomed the teams, they took off in an exciting shotgun start. The carts proceeded to each hole, sponsored graciously by many supporters, enabling us to host this awesome event with all the proceeds going directly to care for our retiring racehorses. Everyone had a great time! After the golf, more guests joined in the fun with good food, music, fundraisers and a Silent Auction with great memorabilia. We enjoyed the vocals of our own equine dentist, Scott Gager, the Man of 100 voices, and his wife Debbie with her keyboard in an epic performance. Our PTHA President Sal DeBunda addressed the group and acknowledged Ed Lehman as the gentleman who spiked his love of the sport of racing. We thank our Executive Director, Jeff Matty, for taking the reins on this event. It was a lot of fun and it raised a lot of money to help some worthy horses. Many thanks to the our president Sal DeBunda and the Archer Attornerys, Parx Racing representatives including Joe Wilson, COO, Rich Roman, and Chris Griffin, and Rip O Bec, our Grade 1 Sponsors for the event, as well as everyone who came out to show their support!

The night featured a Kentucky Derby Preview, one week prior to the start of the Triple Crown. Dick Jerardi, Dani Gibson and Craig Donnelly gave their best tips, and then Dani and Dick fielded questions and offered great betting advice for the big races. The Secretary of Catholic Human Services from St Francis & St. Vincent Home in Bensalem, Jim Amato, presented our organization with an opportunity to work with his team and create opportunities that can mutually benefit our Horsemen and the community. Finally, the winners of the Basket Auction, which raised over $2,000 and featured an awesome doorprize donated by the Pennsylvania Horse Breeder’s Association and some great items donated by our Sponsors and TFH Volunteers, were announced by TFH Program Administrator Danielle Montgomery. Trophies for the best of the 18 rounds went to the Dr. Chovanes foursome: including the one and only Ralph Riviezzo, Mary and Michael Chovanes, DVM., and Todd Mostoller, Executive Director of the PA-HBPA. Gerard Weipert, III, son of our Track Superintendent, putted Closest to the Pin, and the Longest Drive Trophy was won by Archer & Greiner’s Dennis Wasilewski.

All in all, so many people had such a good time raising money for a great cause, that we will be repeating the event!