Dario Belardi was a dynamic United Way supporter who embodied the spirit of giving back and a commitment to United Way’s mission to bring people together to improve the lives of those in need in Monroe County.

Following his death in 2010, United Way launched an Annual Memorial Golf Tournament in his name in 2012. As an event dedicated to recognizing those who recently passed that shared Dario’s spirit of benevolence, volunteerism and love of our community, this year we took the time to remember and pay tribute to the late Joan Ruvane. Joan was an accomplished athlete and avid golfer. A long-time volunteer with the USGA, Joan was extremely active in youth golf nationally, and served as a benefactor and Director of the Pocono Junior Golf Tour in Monroe County. Joan was a long-time leadership donor to United Way of Monroe County. She believed in the mission of United Way and demonstrated it through her jovial spirit and desire to give back and inspire others. She is going to be deeply missed.

This year’s tournament was an incredible success; a beautiful day with great prizes, excellent company, and fond memories. Amazingly, we had yet another hole in one this year (although this one not worth $10,000!). This time it was Eileen Ruvane who shot her first hole in one! Joan was clearly shining down on the group that day.

For its second year in a row, William Cramer’s Team (Cramer, Lessig, Magann and Moritz) were the Tournament Champions, with a score of 59! Second Flight was a Match of Cards: Adams Outdoor Advertising (Sal Lombardo, Peter Geffert, Matt Raymond and Tom Lougherty), with a score of 67. Third Flight was UGI (Mark Choy, Tom O’Neill, Thea Phalon and Ronnie VanGorder) with a score of 71.

Other Tournament Winners included:

Women’s Longest Drive #1: Kitty Jones

Women’s Closest to the Pin #12:  Pat McCarrick  25’ 2”

Men’s Closest to the Pin #12:  Roger Heasley  1’ 6”

Men’s Longest Drive #18:  Jim Robardo

We would like to thank Joe Farda, Kevin Treible and the team at Hideaway Hills Golf Course; The Belardi and Ruvane families; all our players, prize donors, and hole sponsors, including Small and Son for the hole-in-one insurance; our volunteer Mulligan-pusher Nancy McKillop :-); our volunteer hole-watchers Lisa Ambrose, Elizabeth Abreu, Sheila Hunt and Linda Zak; our tournament organizers, Bob Uguccioni and Tony Farda; the golf committee Chair, John Casella; and our generous sponsors who made this tournament a financial success, with $25,000 raised towards our annual campaign:”

• Major Sponsor: The Ann and Joseph Farda Foundation;
• Dinner Sponsors: PNC Bank; and the Barley Creek Brewing Company;
• Lunch Sponsors: Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts; Kalahari Resorts and Conventions; Med-Ed/FirstEnergy; and UGI;
• Unity Sponsors: Adams Outdoor Advertising; Pocono Raceway; and Unify Interactive; and
• Friends of Dario Sponsors: Tony Farda, Pat Ross and Bob Uguccioni!

Thank you!

To download out the program for the event, CLICK HERE.