Golf outing raises money for Lynbrook Community Chest

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On a sun-soaked summer afternoon, more than 100 people hit the links at the Seawane Country Club in Hewlett for the Lynbrook Community Chest Mayor’s Golf Outing on July 10.

“It’s a labor of love,” said Jeff Greenfield, event organizer and member of the Lynbrook Community Chest. “… It was our best ever and most successful. We had two great honorees and because of our honorees, it was the best ever.”

The honorees were Frank Pignataro, the co-owner and executive chef at River Mill Tavern & Tables at 100 Ocean Ave., and Joe Carusone, owner of Vincent’s Pizza and Carvel, both located on Atlantic Avenue.

Pignataro called it “an honor” to be recognized at the event and said he had a great time playing golf. “The weather was perfect,” he said. “The golf was perfect. The turnout was perfect. You couldn’t ask for a better day of golf.”

Carusone said that he performed “terrible” on the golf course, but was pleased to be there nonetheless. “I’m very happy with being one of the honorees,” he said. “I’m very happy with being in Lynbrook and being one of the restaurateurs. I’m very honored to be a person that is involved in the community for so many years.”

The event included raffles, auctions and competitions such as who could hit the longest drive and a special hole-in-one challenge. It concluded with an outdoor dinner. The money went toward to the community chest, an organization that provides assistance to Lynbrook residents who are in need of help due to financial reasons or economic hardship. Greenfield said he would announce the exact amount raised at a Lynbrook Village board meeting in September.

Attendees of the event included Mayor Bill Hendrick, members of the village board of trustees and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce. “It’s so nice that people come out,” Hendrick said. “They know they’re helping the community chest. They know they’re having a nice day and they know they’re going to have a nice meal.”

Greenfield said he was nervous because a week before the event, only 80 golfers had signed up. He said his committee worked very hard and eventually about 140 people participated in the outing. He added that he has been organizing the event for six years, but it has been an annual occurrence for more than two decades.

Greenfield said that he wasn’t surprised that the people of Lynbrook stepped up for a good cause. He also expected the good weather. “I spoke to my monsignor and my rabbi,” he quipped. “I made good weather. I have friends in high up places.”