Camaraderie, hospitality and generosity were again teamed up at the 21st annual golf outing by the New Jersey Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The 18-hole best ball tournament was held July 24th at Mercer Oaks Golf Club in West Windsor, NJ.

The outing, led by Co-Chairs Ken Bernabe and Ed Glassheim, included breakfast, goodie bags, prizes, auctions, donations, and a banquet style buffet dinner that followed. Eighty-five golfers hit the links, on an overcast but pleasantly warm day.

More than 60 sponsors contributed to the day, including companies, organizations, contributors, benefactors and donors. The support generated funding which provided camp scholarships to deserving boys and girls interested in improving and enhancing their wrestling skills, as well as making generous donations to the Vietnam Veterans and St. Jude’s Children Hospital.

“It’s about giving back and being grateful for the fact that some people did a lot of really great things for kids like me since I was young,’’ said Steve Gironda, starting the day on the 18th hole with Dave Best and George Barnett. “The camaraderie is always fun, too. We always have a good time out here.”

A foursome from Bergen County was quite familiar with each other. Bucky Rehain, a member of the New Jersey Chapter Hall of Fame from his success as a coach at Pascack Hills High School, paired up with three of his former wrestlers. He has been in the tournament since its inception.

“It’s a day of camaraderie, friendship and reminiscing,” the coach said.

The same could be said by a foursome that was led by Chapter president Howie O’Neil. “Obviously the outing helps support the annual Hall of Fame banquet (in September). I like to keep the wrestling world together. Some of the guys I don’t see except here.”

Some of them weren’t hitting the ball exactly as it’s done on the PGA tour. As one golfer curved his tee shot into a high weeds, someone yelled out, “We have tick spray if you need it!”

A foursome of high school wrestling officials were enjoying themselves despite being just two-under after several holes. Carlo Socio was asked why he was out on the links. “I like to support the cause. Plus, taking the day off from work. What else you gonna’ do,” he cracked with a smile. “No. It’s a really great way to honor guys that have coached us, guys who have been in corners as we’re officiating. It’s an awesome opportunity to get out and see everyone outside the season. It’s a great day to get together with everyone.

“Twenty years ago you really didn’t know the guys, and now there’s guys you’ve been around for 20 years. Anthony (Zullo) and I were teammates at Middlesex County College. It’s just an awesome experience.”

Of course there were moments that were not awesome, like a golfer teeing off and then yelling, “Run Forrest Run! That’s it. Right into the trap.”

On a day when mulligans were as common as smiles, you could say that tee shot was too often par for the course.

(Article written by Paul Franklin, a NJ-NWHOF Board of Directors member)