Golfers grin and 'bear' cold weather
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

PLAINSBORO - About 40 people ignored the cold temperatures and rainy conditions to play golf for charity at The Meadows at Middlesex Golf Course in Plainsboro Dec. 14.

Half of the proceeds from the Polar Bear Golf Challengewent to The First Tee ofMiddlesex and Somerset Counties, while the other half went to the New Brunswick Fire Department. The event was sponsored by the New Brunswick Rotary Club.

Mike Blackwell, of the Rotary Club, and the director of instruction at The First Tee, spoke about howthe club has helped the fire department in the past.

"The Rotary Club had a firehouse project called 'While You Are In,'" Blackwell said. "The common area is where the guys spend most of their time, so we put in a new TV, new carpet, new furniture that's really comfortable."

He also spoke about his organization, The First Tee, which helps kids ages 7 through 18.

"There are 300 kids in the program," Blackwell said. "We try and give them golf skills and life skills."

Blackwell tries to teach kids things they would not otherwise be taught in classrooms or by their parents.

"We try to teach them how to meet and greet someone for the first time, how to shake hands," Blackwell said.

There's also the golf part of it.

"Golf is an excellent sport," Blackwell said. "If we can help kids in the inner cities learn a new sport, it's a good thing."

A few of the golfers talked about the event and why exactly they were there.

"We have a few screws loose," said Bob Freund ofEastWindsor. "It's a fun event and it's different."

"I'm here because Mike Blackwell said he'd release the negatives of some photos if I didn't come," joked Bill Koncar ofMonroe.

He had other reasons.

"It's a great thing to help," Koncar said. "Alot of kids get to benefit."

Perry Williams, a pro football player for six years for the Green Bay Packers and ChicagoBears from1969 to 1974,was also in attendance.

"It's all about giving back to the community, all about helping with kids," Williams said. Currently a professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Williams also has a programcalledM. A.D. (MakeADifference.)

"It's about the quality of life of our young people,"Williams said. "It's about character building and life skills."

Most peoplewere just happy to be able to play some golf.

"It's great to be able to tell your friends you played golf in December," said Hal Narotzky ofWestfield.

"A day freezing on the golf course is better than a day at the office," said Paul Kleiman of Edison.

The golf course is one of the few golf courses that holds outings year round and is run by theMiddlesex County Improvement Authority.

"Once in a while, we get a small outing or two," said Jane S. Leal, MCIA director of administration. "There have been somemild winters when we have had a lot of golf outings."

Leal talked about the uniqueness of this event.

"Just the fact that there's snow on the ground," Leal said. "They also go out with a putter and driver of their choice."

Organizers said this made the game more interesting and quicker, as the golfers would not be able to choose which club to use.A

silent auction was also held, with the proceeds going to charity. Signed memorabilia of sports stars like Wayne Chrebet, Lawrence Taylor, Paul O'Neill and Allen Iverson were on display.

Applebee's provided soup for the golfers to enjoy on the second hole. Chili, made by Michael's Kitchen in New Brunswick, was also out for golfers to enjoy on the third hole.

Before the event, a continental breakfast was served at the Caddy Shack, inside the Meadows' clubhouse.