Polar Bear Outing Raises Funds For First Tee

Some 55 golfers teed it up for the annual Polar Bear Outing, benefitting the First Tee of Raritan Valley, on the morning of Thursday, December 5, at the Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.

While the temperatures in the mid-50s were favorable, the foggy conditions were not. As per outing rules, players were limited to the use of just three clubs for the event, which is sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.

“It’s a fun event that we started about 10 years ago, after it started five years prior to that as a New Brunswick recreational event,” said Mike Blackwell, executive director of First Tee of Raritan Valley.

“The event encourages people to continue to play golf and to keep playing together. The funny thing is, even though they’re playing with just three clubs, their scores aren’t far off from what they normally shoot.”

When the event began, players were limited to just two clubs, but Blackwell said the extra club was added to help most players clear hazards. Blackwell won the A Flight of the event on Thursday, shooting a six-over-par 74, using his sand wedge as a putter. Normally, it is a walking event, which helps players stay warmer. This year’s outing, because of the higher temperatures, enabled golfers to ride carts at Galloping Hill.

Each year, the outing takes place a different course. Other venues have included Tamarack, Architects, The Meadows at Middlesex, and Rutgers.

Blackwell said the worst conditions occurred about five years ago at Rutgers when the temperatures were in the 20s and snow flurries were in the air.

“It was cold. We were able to putt across the bunkers,” Blackwell remembered.

Bruce Smallwood, president of First Tee of Raritan Valley, was playing in the event for a sixth time. He said that despite using only three clubs, he shoots only five or six shots above his normal 85-90. This year, he took his 7-iron, putter and utility iron onto the course.

“You never know what kind of weather you’re going to get,” Smallwood said. “If the ground is hard, even shots with the putter can fly. It’s been postponed twice because of snow. Once, we played the day after an ice storm and started with icicles on the trees. But it ended up pretty warm.”

Last week on Thanksgiving, Smallwood played in an annual Turkey Day Outing with 72 players at Quail Brook in Somerset. It was 29 degrees at tee off time, but Smallwood managed to shoot 88, using all the clubs in his bag.

Jeff Mahoney of Pine Barrens said his best score with three clubs was 86. He utilizes a driver, 7-iron and sand wedge.

“I putt with my driver. I hold it way down the shaft and hit it like a belly putter,” he explained. “It works pretty well.”

Kevin Casey, formerly of Rock Spring, uses a sand wedge to putt.

“I feel emancipated. If I have to, I can also putt with my driver,” said Casey, who also employs a 5-iron for putting.

“I like the whole idea of it. It’s for a good cause. I know what to expect. It’s a lot of fun,” said Mike Perry, also of Pine Barrens, who uses a 6-iron, pitching wedge and 3-wood, which doubles as a putter.

Richard Pollard of East Brunswick, and his brother Alan, of North Caldwell, dressed in plus-fours.

“I got involved with First Tee because of my grandkids. I volunteered to work the concession tent at The Barclays at Liberty National, and the proceeds were donated to First Tee,” said Rich Pollard, who utilized a rescue club, 3-wood and 8-iron.