More than 150 golfers descended upon the Cape May National Golf Club in Erma, NJ on a beautiful early autumn day on October 4 as the Atlantic Cape Community College Foundation’s Annual Scramble ‘FORE’ Scholarships Golf Tournament celebrated its 20th anniversary in Cape May by once again raising a record amount for student scholarships.
This year’s total of $75,000 raised topped last year’s then-record total of $71,500.
“The Atlantic Cape Foundation is so thankful for the generosity from our sponsors and supporters. Without their commitment this event would not be possible,” said Atlantic Cape Foundation Executive Director Jean McAlister. “We would also like to thank Bob Mullock, his family and Cape May National Golf Club for hosting this important scholarship event for the last 20 years! We are truly grateful.”
In the late 1980’s, what began for Mullock, president/co-designer of the golf club, and Charles Pessagno as a simple trek through the woods of Cape May County between the Garden State Parkway and Route 9 with airplanes from the nearby airport buzzing overhead soon became a life-changing business endeavor. Mullock had a vision to turn the wooded expanse into the premier golf course in the County.
“We were coming back from Philadelphia one day and he (Mullock) stops the car on the Parkway. We start walking through the woods right here and he says ‘we are buying this and we are going to put a golf course here,’” recalled Pessagno. “And, sure enough we bought the ground. Bob designed the course. It’s Bob’s vision and it’s a beautiful course. This is Bob’s heart and soul.”
Atlantic Cape’s involvement with Cape May National Golf Club, which is surrounded by a 50-acre private bird sanctuary, began in the early 2000’s when Pessagno, then a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, and former Foundation President, the late James Cooper, approached Mullock about getting involved with an annual golf tournament in Cape May.
“Bob said that he would love to be part of it. So, he not only donated the course to the Foundation to help raise money for scholarships he became a member on the Foundation’s Board,” said Pessagno. “The tournament has evolved every year to what you see today. It is just amazing to look around at the number of people we have from all over for this great day to participate and help us raise money.”
Prior to the 11:30 a.m. shotgun start, participants took to the driving range to stretch their bodies and flex their muscles for the day ahead. Amid the continuous sound of ping, ping, ping, they swung for distance measured in hundreds of yards. At the start of the event, golfers put their putting and chipping skills to the test. Mike Dolan won the Putting Contest with the fewest strokes, Ann Herron won the Chipping Contest and 10 other Chipping Contest participants also hit the targeted boat in the pond.
Out on the course itself, flanked by rows of cultivated greens dotted with numerous trees, lakes and ponds, teams of three and four teed off, chipped and putted their way through 18 holes for fun, bragging rights and prizes. There were sleeves of golf balls for the five teams landing closest to the pin and a free round of golf at select area courses for the top six overall team finishers.
During the dinner and awards ceremony following the tournament Mullock was recognized by the Foundation with a commemorative plaque in deep appreciation to he, his family and the Cape May National Golf Club for their 20 years of dedicated support and partnership in hosting the Annual Scramble “FORE” Scholarships Golf Tournament.
“Today is the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Atlantic Cape Foundation’s Scramble “FORE” Scholarships. I want to thank everybody for coming today and supporting this event. We had a large number of people participate today and we are very thankful and grateful.,” said Atlantic Cape President Dr. Barbara Gaba. “I want to thank Bob and Zack Mullock, and the entire Mullock family, who have been strong supporters of this event and the Foundation and we appreciate everything they have done for us. And, certainly your work with our Foundation and the broader work in Cape May County is very inspiring.”
Mullock reminisced on the positive effects that the tournament has had on the students of Atlantic and Cape May counties over the past 20 years.
“You could see how important it was to the students, especially here in Cape May County, where there were so many kids and parents who didn’t have a lot of money to attend college. And, how important college was for parents that were either by themselves, working another job or didn’t have the job they really wanted to be in,” said Mullock. “You recognize that scholarships are really important, so that’s what we focused on during these tournaments.”
Pessagno was also recognized by the Foundation’s Board with an honorary resolution for his “instrumental role as a member of the Ideas Committee, providing leadership, vision, and strategic guidance to enhance the Foundation’s initiatives by establishing the Atlantic Cape Community College
Foundation Scramble “Fore” Scholarships Golf Tournament at Cape May National
Golf Club.” Plans for this tournament were originally announced during a March 2004 Foundation Board meeting. The inaugural golf tournament was held that November and initially raised $12,000 for student scholarships.
Since the annual golf tournament’s debut in 2004, more than $800,000 has been raised for students thanks to the continued support of dedicated Atlantic and Cape May county businesses and residents.
The 2024 scholarship recipients include Hollie Aponte, Megan Bechtler, Angela Dominguez-Henao, Rachel Duffy, Barrett Farschon, Alesandra Fernandez, Julie Helverson, Amber Howatt,
Megan Jackson, Kanefe Johnson, Fausta Kawesi, Drahcir Knight, Allison Knoll, Taylor Lerario, Corine McDowell, Mishael McFarlane, Mason Michot, Haley Milano, Hillary Raymond, Renata Riesenberg, Leonor Rodriguez, Kylee Rothmel, Nastassia Shypionak, Catherine Versoza and Attuiyah Williams.
Visit atlanticcape.edu/golf to view a full list of the 2024 tournament sponsors.
Click here to view a photo gallery from the 2024 event on Flickr.
Literary and photographic credit: Atlantic Cape Community College
