The 18th annual Pat Houser Golf Tournament on Aug. 21 at Toftrees Resort raised more than $43,000 to assist people with intellectual disabilities supported by Skills of Central PA.
The team of Gavin Howe, Shane Crawford, Vince Strugala and Bill Wilkinson, representing FNB Wealth Management in State College, claimed the championship with a score of 18 under par. The Mainline Pharmacy team finished second at 12 under, and a foursome representing Sheetz came in third at the tournament hosted by the Skills Foundation.
Competing in a “shamble” format, 22 teams took part in the tournament that memorializes a founding member of the Skills Board of Directors, the Bellefonte businessman E.F. “Pat” Houser.
In addition to the 2023 champions title, golfers also had the chance to challenge one another in various other contests throughout the day. The “longest drive competition” was won by Frank Wiley (Lynn Warehousing team), from the 12th tee box. The “longest putt contest” was won by Jason Nagy (Sheetz team) on the 18th green, and the “closest to the pin” award went to Wilkinson.
The Skills Foundation supports the mission of Skills of Central PA by providing funds to assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and serious mental health challenges throughout a 17-county region of central Pennsylvania.
Funds raised during the annual golf tournament will allow Skills to purchase specialized equipment, develop and launch new programs and provide the people supported by the organization with assistive technology devices. Donations also help to provide essential medical and dental services for people who are unable to receive them through traditional funding sources.
