By Amy Batista, Special Writer
CRANBURY — The 24th annual Cranbury Golf Tournament, formally known as the Mayor’s Trophy Golf Tournament, was off with a great swing this year, featuring good weather and great attendance, according to organizers.
”(The tournament is) to raise money to give back to the town for parks and recreation,” said Jim Golubieski, treasurer of the Cranbury Trophy Committee, a non-profit organization set up to run the golf outing.
”It’s got a great history,” said Mayor David Cook. “It’s always had its heart in the right place and it raises money for projects that are helpful for the whole town not just projects that help just one part or the other.”
The committee presented Mayor David Cook with a check for $10,780 to go back to the township.
”We raised $6,400 at this tournament (alone),” said Josette Kratz of the Cranbury Trophy committee in an email on Aug. 23.
The funds will be used this year to resurface the basketball court and tennis courts in Village Park. New basketball facility courts will also be put up and they will redo the tennis courts, according to Mr. Golubieski.
About 52 players participated in the tournament this year, including residents, local community leaders and business owners to support the cause.
”It’s also a great way to get out of the normal routine of the day and to have a good, light day with people who help the township,” Mayor Cook said.
Chief Varga changed gears in this year’s tournament and joined a different team, which ended up winning the tournament – Jay Taylor, Dave Marabello and Max Max Bichsel.
”It was a beautiful day to have the opportunity to be out and to enjoy some good times with our residents and join in raising money for a great cause and help our parks and recreation department,” Chief Varga said.
Mr. Golubieski said that he believed the event was started by Tom Witt who used to be the director of Public Works and “it has been going on since then.”
”It was a beautiful day. We are actually gearing up for our 25th which we want to make special,” Mr. Golubieski said. “We work with the Recreation Commission to try to identify what things in the town, from a recreation standpoint, are needed so we can identify future projects and make them work. We get solid support every year for this.”
Mr. Taylor said the trophy tournament is one of his favorite outings each year, and “is a unique opportunity for Cranbury residents to invest in our town and have fun at the same time.”
”I’ve seen it grow over the years,” said Dick Schroeder of Cranbury. “The Peddie Golf Course was in ideal shape. They always do a good job and it seems like it always comes together nicely. We always have a lot of fun and it’s a wonderful way to make money for the recreation.” Mr. Taylor said the trophy tournament committee and Mike Bichsel, a Cranbury resident and the pro at Peddie, always put together a wonderful event and demonstrate yet again how committed Cranbury residents are to the community.
”The proceeds from the event are all returned back to the township enhancing our parks,” Mr. Taylor said.
”He (Mike Bichel) does a great job and his staff is a big part of making the event a big success,” Mayor Cook said.

