Enjoying sausage and pepper sandwiches prepared by Scott Moyle (top, left) are Hague Equipment employees (continuing from left) Shane Pickering, Tim Wood, Ely Rice, and Jeremy Spatola. Teeing off for one of the teams from PTW Energy Services is Trevor Hodge (above, right). The team was rounded out by (from left) Matt Lyons, Tyler Williams, and Mario Alvarez. Below, Chesapeake employees (above, from right) Corey Smith, Derek Chapman, Brandon Fitzwater, and Jimmy O’Brien take a break at the Wheel of Fortune, which was staffed by Williams employees (far left) Randy Becker and (not pictured) Kathi Smurkoski.
Story and photos by Rick Hiduk
(originally published in the Daily Review)
For a second year, Williams’ Bradford County Supply Hub hosted a golf outing to benefit the United Way of Bradford County. The event at the Towanda Golf Club on Oct. 7 also served as a networking opportunity for many workers associated with the natural gas industry in the area. Four-person teams followed a “captain and crew” format, which keeps the game moving.
Proceeds from the event were matched by Williams and will help the United Way fund non-profit agencies across the county. Prior to 2021, Williams conducted a sporting clay contest for the United Way but switched to the golf tournament last year due to a shortage of ammunition. The change had little or no effect on how much support was offered. “One thing about our vendors is that, whatever we throw out there, they get on board,” said Tammy Bonnice of Williams.
Hague Equipment of Waverly, NY, returned as Main Event Sponsor. Phoenix Specialty, Proconex, and DistributionNOW sponsored the golf carts. Award sponsors included Champion X, Evergreen Oilfield Solutions, B&K Equipment, K&R Operating, and Flynn Energy. According to Dave Gaskill of Hague, his company is a regular supporter of the United Way throughout the year.
Other industry partners sponsored holes on the course and donated prizes for the raffle and other games conducted by Williams staff, who enjoyed a break from their daily routines and the opportunity for some casual conversation with people they often only get to see on a professional level.
“The Williams employees are very engaged in any outreach we do,” Williams regional VP Jack Walsh stated. “There’s never any problem finding volunteers for events.”
There was also no problem finding food, as several vendors served up crowd pleasing favorites, including Scott Moyle of MRC Global, who was grilling sausage and peppers, and employees of Phoenix Specialty who were serving pulled pork. The Phoenix crew won second place with their beef brisket at a barbecue cook-off for the United Way held in Tunkhannock in September.
“They’re great events for getting to know the people in the industry while also helping the community,” Tim Nierstedt of Phoenix Specialty remarked.
Golfers also found Williams staff scattered across the course, providing extra opportunities to win prizes. Dave Jensen, A.J. Clark, and Zane Carrington manned a cornhole shoot, where participants won chances toward a Creole seafood boiler with each successful beanbag toss. Randy Becker and Kathi Smurkoski gave away a variety of prizes to those spinning their Wheel of Fortune.
The marshmallow drive generally evokes laughter as seasoned duffers take a shot at the lightweight, fluffy confections. But Ray Strazdus of Fehlinger Construction drew gasps from onlookers when he powered a marshmallow up the fairway.
United Way of Bradford County executive director Joan Smith-Reese was unable to attend but got a report from Williams employee Sue Connors, who is a member of the United Way board. Connors told her that participation was up and that the event went smoothly. The golf outing fits within the United Way’s current campaign for 2023 funding that runs through December.
“Their generosity is unbelievable. We are so excited,” Smith-Reese stated. “This year, we are celebrating our 45th anniversary, so this is extra special.”
Additional photos by Rick Hiduk
The “event crew” of Williams employees included (from left) Diane Lantz, Sue Connor, Ashlee Gow, Alisha Pozella, Tammy Bonnice, Hayley Fekette and (not pictured) Nick Lee.
PTW’s Nik Kicovic (left) sinks a put for a birdie on the 18th hole at the Towanda Golf Club as coworkers (continuing from left) Kyle Haney, A.J. Gilgallon, and Brian Douglas look on.
Setting up a portable smoker on the golf course and serving pulled pork during the Oct. 7 outing for the United Way were (from left) Mike Brobst, Tim Nierstedt, and Mike Birmingham.
Golfers for Earth Armor included (from left) Dale Gow, Jeremy Sprague, Dustin Scouten, Ben Ryon, and Mike Birmingham.
Main event sponsors Hague Equipment were represented by (from left) Kyle Varner, Dave Gaskill, Tyler Leljedal, Michele Marx, and Chris Marx.
Team Flanders was comprised of (from left) Joe DeCristo, Maureen Ball, Mike Johnson and Dan Treffinger.