Over $25,000 was raised for the next generation of Christendom student-athletes at the 14th annual Thomas S. Vander Woude Golf Tournament, with over a hundred golfers and over forty sponsors participating in the event.
Approximately 170 golfers, made up of alumni, friends, and benefactors of Christendom, gathered at Shenandoah Valley Golf Club on Monday, October 9, for the tournament. Together, they fundraised and celebrated the accomplishments of Christendom’s athletes, with current and numerous former scholarship recipients attending the event.
Following the afternoon of golf, with Sean Garvey, Steve O’Keefe, and Francis Fusco winning the tournament, Athletic Director Patrick Quest announced this year’s Thomas S. Vander Woude Athletic Scholarship winners: Mary Pennefather and Nick Ackerman. Both student-athletes excelled at sports in high school, with Ackerman already finding great success on the college’s men’s rugby team. Pennefather, a skilled basketball player, is currently preparing for the start of the women’s basketball season this winter. Along with Pennefather and Ackerman, the other current student recipients of the Athletic Scholarship were recognized as well: seniors Lili Speier and John Paul Vander Woude, juniors Regina Bonvissuto, Miranda Keller, and John Kennedy, and sophomore Megan Lovar.
The Thomas S. Vander Woude Golf Tournament was created to raise funds for student-athletes like Pennefather and Ackerman, enabling them to better afford Christendom’s liberal arts education while also honoring the legacy of Thomas S. Vander Woude. A former athletic director at the school, and father to many Christendom alumni, Vander Woude died saving the life of his youngest son on September 8, 2008. He was dedicated to the character development and personal formation of young people, especially in the areas of both intercollegiate and intramural athletics.
For more information on how to contribute to the Thomas S. Vander Woude Athletic Scholarship fund and endowment, please contact athletic director Patrick Quest at patrick.quest@christendom.edu.