When Brian Doyle and more than 150 other golfers teed it up this August at Sleepy Hollow and Hudson National, they had one swing thought: “We have 160 pending wishes — let’s make them come true.” Those wishes are the dreams of local kids with serious medical conditions, and the golfers were supporting them through the Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley chapter.
“It’s not about golf,” Doyle says, “It’s all about the kids. Make-A-Wish is something special.”
The organization held its first golf outing 13 years ago. Last year, it had to turn away players at iconic Sleepy Hollow CC so this year the chapter added another top Westchester venue, Hudson National GC. Foursome there sold out quickly too, and, with sponsorships, auctions, and other donations, the chapter raised more than $175,000.
After expenses that amount will grant a good number of wishes, which cost an average of $7,500 to $10,000 each.
Over the past 30 years, the chapter has granted the wishes of more than 2,500 children throughout the Hudson Valley. One recent recipient was Ben, a 13-year-old from Scarsdale, whose wish was to see the Major League Baseball All-Star game. Thanks to donors and the generosity of MLB, Ben’s entire family was flown to Miami and received red-carpet treatment.
