The day began with sunny skies and crisp fall breezes.  By the time our golfers left the 2006 Ann Olsen Greater Danbury Golf Classic at Ridge wood Country Club on September 11th, everyone was smiling.  The  foursome (Tony Mercaldo, John Kortze, Ron Struski and Jim Foley) representing the Danbury firm Mittler & Mercaldo carried home the prestigious perpetual Ervie S.Hawley, Jr. Cup with a winning low net of 126, beating defending champs. Ridgefield Bank by 1 point.

But the excitement did not stop there.  Mid-afternoon, David Hawley swung a perfect ace on Hole #10.  Twenty minutes later, Brian Martin repeated the hole in one on the same hole!  The volunteers and players could hardly contain their excitement!  The news spread like wildfire through the course.

This hole was sponsored by Mike Dimyan of Tower Realty and was insured for $10,000 for each ace through the National Hole-in-One Association.  It was incredible to have even one winner; having two was gleeful.  Later that afternoon, attorney Jackie Chan became the first player to sink the final putt in the Newtown Savings Bank Putt-Off and won $500.  John O'Connor of the Danbury Hospital Laboratory team pitched out of the bunker to win the Branson Sandman competition.

Congratulations to our winners and to General Chairman Ed Carola, and Honorary Chairs John Martocci and Mayor Mark Boughton. Thanks to our Corporate level sponsors: Boehringer Ingelheim, Branson, PepsiCola, Buck Consultants, New York Board of Trade and Union Savings Bank. 

Every sponsor, player and volunteer contributed to keeping our doors open to people living with cancer.  As our client volume grows, fundraisers like the Classic are absolutely vital.