The year 1994 saw the birth of the Division's Annual Golf Outing. The first outing was organized and chaired by Charlie Blomberg and proceeds from this inaugural day on the links benefited Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Now in its 14th year, this successful fundraiser has provided support to several worthy charities, including: the Smithtown Guide Dog Foundation, Fr. Pizzarelli's Hope House in Port Jefferson, Angela's House in Smithtown and many other charities as the need arises.
Each year, the golf outing grows more and more successful as new members and their contacts add to the profits. Total charitable dollars raised for the year 2006 from the Men's Division were more than $18,000. Division Three has received numerous awards from the National and State Boards recognizing our small Division's commitment to making large contributions.
In 2007, the golf outing was renamed "The Jack" in memory of our deceased brother Jack Murtagh. Jack was an active member of Division Three for nearly 20 years. During that time, his winning Irish smile, tireless work ethic and sense of humor endeared him to all who met him. Jack served as an officer for nearly half his tenure in the AOH, culminating with his term as President in 2002-03.
Of all the numerous activities and dances Jack chaired, the one event on which he truly left his signature more than any other is the golf outing. While he didn't found the outing, no one did more than Jack to make the outing the huge success it is today. Jack chaired the event several times and brought in numerous sponsors as well as several foursomes each year. He was slated to chair the event in 2006 until illness forced him to pass the baton to Frank Kehoe.
The 2005 golf outing, Jack's last as Chairman, was also the most memorable. With more than 150 golfers and volunteers looking forward to dinner after a long round on one of the hottest days of the year, Jack was informed the air conditioning in the dining room was out of order (it was apparently out of order for several days, but no one at the course had seen fit to inform Jack). As they say, the rest is history. In his inimitable way, Jack got us through the dinner and later extracted more than a pound of flesh from the country club when he negotiated the 2006 contract! In a poignant moment during the usually footloose and carefree event, Jack's entire family was present at the 2006 outing, and his wife, Eileen, presented the Division with a $1,000 donation in Jack's memory which was earmarked for Angela's House, Jack's favorite charity.
Ancient Order of Hibernians | Kevin Barry Division 3 | Smithtown, Long Island, New York | A Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity Non-Profit
Each year, the golf outing grows more and more successful as new members and their contacts add to the profits. Total charitable dollars raised for the year 2006 from the Men's Division were more than $18,000. Division Three has received numerous awards from the National and State Boards recognizing our small Division's commitment to making large contributions.