The first golf tournament to benefit the Cave House Museum of Mining and Geology was held Aug. 29, at the Cobleskill Golf and Country Club. According to the museum’s directors report, the tournament raised approximately $50,000 with fifty sponsors contributing to the museum being developed in the 1865 Cave House in the Howes Cave quarry.

“For our first tournament effort, we’re very pleased with the turnout, and want to thank all who contributed,” said Michael Galasso, vice-president of Cobleskill Stone Products, and a member of the museum’s board of directors.

The event attracted natural resources industry representatives and affiliated vendor companies from several states, including Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, and Oklahoma.

“It verified what we’ve known all along,” said Galasso, “that our support foundation will span the country.”

Participants first had the opportunity to tour the Cave House, cave, and quarry that morning and were treated to a catered breakfast by A Taste of Europe, of Richmondville, NY.

Following the shotgun start at noon, the 18 foursomes competed in a scramble format for a variety of prizes donated by Cobleskill Stone Products. The first, second, third, and last place teams received trophies mounted with a piece of slate from the Cave House roof.

Both lunch and dinner was provided to participants by the Links Restaurant at the country club.

A raffle during the social hour and meal raised approximately $1,000. In addition to the prizes contributed by local merchants, participants also purchased $550 of raffle tickets to benefit the community park being planned in Howes Cave.

“We were told throughout the day what a fantastic project it is we’re undertaking,” Galasso said and added that a similar tournament is already being planned for next year.

For more information, call 518/234-0221.