Sussex County YMCA to Hold 22nd Annual Golf Outing at Ballyowen

By: Mollie Shauger | Thursday, May 16, 2024 | News

Ballyowen Golf Club

HARDYSTON, NJ - The Sussex County YMCA will hold its 22nd annual Golf Outing on May 22, 2024 at the award-winning Ballyowen Golf Club in Hamburg, NJ. Proceeds will support programs and services that the Y provides for children, families, adults and seniors in our community.

The golf outing will begin at 7:15 a.m. with a catered breakfast for all participants, and concludes with a cocktail reception in the pavilion, hor d’oeuvres, and awards presentation in the afternoon. Reservations to play golf or attend the reception can be purchased online at metroymcas.org or by calling Alma Dhuyvetter, Corey Brown, or Edith Lynch at the Sussex County Y, 973-209-9622. 

This year’s Golf Outing honors Bruce Bagdan, who has played a significant role in the Sussex County Y’s nearly 50-year history, from exploring the first programs to offer, to helping secure the funding and property for the construction of the Y facility on Wits End Road. Bagdan is a former Sparta resident and owner of Dover Electric Supply with businesses throughout Sussex County.

He served on the leadership board of Newton Country Club for many years and was involved in the Sussex County Republican Committee. He currently lives in Livingston and he and his wife Laura Benenson Bagdan have a son, Sam, 31. He is active in the community with the Kiwanis Club and serves on the board for the Cedar Hill Country Club. 

"I am extremely honored to be recognized and I feel privileged to have been associated with an organization that has made such a significant impact on the community since its early days," said Bagdan. "It brings me joy to see that the Y continues to uphold its mission and provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.”

This year’s Golf Outing is sponsored by Optimum. Other major sponsors include Lakeland Bank, First Hope Bank, Perona Farms, the Macaluso Family, Your Diet Guy, RoNetco Supermarkets, Nielsen Automotive Group, and Chiesa, Shahinian, & Giantomasi, and Glenn Jones Insurance. 

“The Golf Outing has been a beloved tradition and successful fundraiser for the YMCA, and we are thrilled to plan another terrific event this year. The Y has played a vital role in our community, providing much-needed programming to support the health of both children and adults, especially in times of need,” said Jim Downing, Chair of the 2024 Golf Outing. “We invite the community to join us for a fun day of golf in a beautiful setting - an event that will have an amazing impact on local lives.”

In 2023, the Sussex County Y gave back over $345,736 to provide financial assistance to over 1,723 youths, adults, families, and seniors in the community. 

“As a nonprofit, we rely on the generosity of our members and donors to continue delivering programs that address critical health and wellness needs, and these needs are greater than ever,” said Corey Brown, Executive Director of the Sussex County Y. “To continue our impact, we need the support from this event to help fund programs offered to the community including Livestrong at the YMCA for cancer survivors, Y First physician’s referral program and Safety Around Water.”

Pictured: Bruce Bagdan

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ABOUT THE Y

Established in 1885, the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges invests in its diverse communities to promote wellness, safety and quality of life for children, adults and seniors. Its seven branches in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, New Milford, Hardyston, Stillwater and Wayne are committed to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living and fostering a sense of social responsibility through an array of programs. Some 35,000 people belong to the Metro Y, which awards more than $2 million annually in direct and indirect financial assistance.