Samuel Field Y Hosts a Different Kind of Fundraising "Drive"

There are worse ways of spending a glorious Monday afternoon than hitting the green at the Glen Head Country Club. Much, much worse ways.

Fortunately, the 104 participants of the 's Fourth Annual Golf Classic and Cocktail Reception were much too busy snacking on sushi and practicing their putting to consider these other, more dismal alternatives.

Esther Gerson, director of development at Samuel Field Y, said the event has grown continually since its inception four years ago. This year, tickets to participate - which went for $600 per golfer - were completely sold out.

Proceeds from the tournament help subsidize the Y's programs, which is especially crucial in a time when government funding tends to be somewhat unreliable, Gerson said. Though the money from the fundraiser is as yet undesignated, it will likely go toward saving programs that might otherwise be cut from the government's budget.

"It really gives the Y the latitude to see what could potentially be cut, and see where we're going to need the money most this year. It's really very fortunate," Gerson said. "Even if we lose a program, we won't have to lose a lot of programs."

Though Monday's golf event may be the most glamorous of the Y's fundraisers, it certainly isn't the only one. Gerson said they also host other, more targeted events throughout the year, such as a dinner recently held at Strawberry's Sports Grill in Douglaston to benefit children with Autism, and a dinner held at Cafe Rustica for Cape Mental Health Clinic, which serves those with with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

In addition to contributing to a good cause, though, Monday also happened to be a very good day for golf.

"People are having a great day," Gerson said, gesturing around at the golfers lunching on grilled chicken and sipping beer. "Beats a day in the office."