The NYS Forum Raises $8,500 at 2025 Spring Charity Golf Outing
Proceeds Benefit The Food Pantries for the Capital District

Mechanicville, NY – June 16, 2025 - The NYS Forum proudly announced the success of its 2025 Annual Spring Charity Golf Outing, held on Thursday, June 12 at the Fairways of Halfmoon. With more than 100 golfers and attendees participating, the event raised $8,500 in support of The Food Pantries for the Capital District, a vital regional coalition that addresses hunger throughout Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, and Saratoga counties. 

Teams participated in the day-long event on a dry and sunny day at the fantastic Fairways of Halfmoon. The golf scramble included morning refreshments at registration sponsored by Tech Valley Talent, lunch at the turn sponsored by KPMG, a post-golf reception sponsored by MTX and mavQ, 50/50 raffle, golf equipment raffle, and various contests for all players with prizes generously donated by sponsors. 

Tournament participants enjoyed a variety of competitions in addition to 18 holes of scramble golf tournament play. Activities included: a NYSTEC Putting Green Challenge; player contests sponsored by Authorium that included men’s and women’s longest drive, closest to the line, and closest to pin competitions; a hole-in-one opportunity for a chance to win $5000; and Texas Roadhouse giveaways where 100% of the proceeds were returned to the Forum to be donated back to The Food Pantries for the Capital District.  

The two beverage carts, sponsored by Palo Alto and Fortinet, kept spirits high throughout the day, while each player received a gift bag sponsored by SoftEd, filled with NYS Forum tumblers and donated golf gear from CDW-G, Fortinet, Gartner, Halcyon, Spruce Technology, and Workday. 

The tournament was further supported by numerous hole sponsors, including: 
Fran Reiter (The NYS Forum), Authorium, CB20, Cloud & Things, CMA Consulting, Gartner, Halcyon, Hollis Public Affairs, NYSTEC, Spruce Technology, and TEKsystems. 

Following the 18 holes, players gathered in the Fairways of Halfmoon Banquet Hall where they enjoyed a buffet meal, and some time for networking. NYS Forum Executive Director, Fran Reiter welcomed all attendees and addressed the crowd on the day’s events. 

Also in attendance were Natasha Pernicka, Executive Director of The Food Pantries for the Capital District who provided an overview of the organization. The Forum was thrilled to be able to present them with a ceremonial check for $8,500. 

Maureen McHugh (Halcyon) who chaired the golf committee, gave out awards to the golf contest winners. Awards were given to Duffy Newman, Patrick Mahoney, Sean Stewart, and Bob Burdick for the best foursome of the day, winning a round of golf for 4 at the Fairways of Halfmoon with a score of 63. There was a three way tie and the winner was decided based on the course handicap! Tom Beaulieu and Sarah White had the longest drives of the tournament, while Tom Sager and Maureen McHugh got the ball closest to the pin. Winners of Closest to the Line were Vamshi Vaddiraja and Maureen McHugh. A Titleist Carry/Stand Bag (MV $225), a Titleist Cart Bag (MV $230), a Titleist Wedge (MV $189), a Visor, Pro V1 Balls & an Umbrella (MV $105), and Rain Jackets - M&F (MV $85 each) were raffled off to winners, and a winner of the NYSTEC Putting Green Challenge. Special thanks go to 50/50 Raffle winner Matt Galante (TEKsystems) who was extremely gracious and donated the entire 50/50 winnings back to the charity! 

“The NYS Forum is incredibly grateful to all golfers, sponsors, and volunteers who made this the most successful spring golf outing to date,” said Reiter. “Your time, enthusiasm, and generosity will make a meaningful impact on our mission to support hunger relief in the Capital Region.” 

The Forum also thanks the Fairways of Halfmoon for hosting the event and maintaining excellent course conditions. Planning is already underway for the 2026 tournament! 

About The Food Pantries for the Capital District: 

The Food Pantries for the Capital District is a coalition of over 70 food pantries across Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga counties. The Food Pantries mission is to address hunger in the Capital Region by funding, purchasing, collecting, and delivering millions of pounds of food each year to their member pantries. They also provide a forum for networking, coordination of services, education, and training for pantry staff and volunteers. They envision a hunger-free Capital Region. 

In 2024, The Food Pantries' coalition members collectively served more than 104,000 food-insecure Capital District community members.