PIANJ Golf Classic Sinks Record Amount

The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc.’s 21st annual PIANJ Golf Classic continued its tradition of supporting Special Olympics New Jersey by raising a record amount of $47,500. Since 1983, PIANJ, in conjunction with the New Jersey Young Insurance Professionals, has raised $1.75 million for the organization. This year’s Golf Classic was held Monday, Sept. 13, at the Sea Oaks Golf Club, Little Egg Harbor, N.J.

“PIANJ is proud to continue its role as a premier corporate sponsor for SONJ,” said Steven Reichman, executive vice president, NIA Group, who is both a PIANJ past president and the Golf Classic chairman. “Members of our insurance community – including event sponsor Mercer Insurance Group – are proud to be a part of this event, which provides necessary funding to pursue vital programming for special athletes.”

Following the golf outing, Joe Piscopo, of Saturday Night Live fame, entertained the attendees during dinner. Piscopo was not the Golf Classic’s first non-golf celebrity guest. During the Golf Classic’s 21-year history, other celebrities have included baseball legend Yogi Berra and sports writer Mike Lupica.

Jeff Bonicky, the golf pro at Sea Oaks Golf Club, offered a golf clinic prior to the tournament and matched shots with participants in the “beat-the-pro” competition. The low gross award was given to Joe Skowronski, RCA Insurance Group. Fred Dunhour, Dunhour Agency and Bob Roehr, Guy Carpenter, were awarded prizes for men’s low net and Pam Gorajek, Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Co., received an award for women’s low net. Plaques also were awarded to the 10 individuals who “beat the pro” in a “closest-to-the-green” competition.