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Golfers gathered at the Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, Pa., Sept. 9, 2024, to help raise money for an important charity — Construction Angels.

Golfers gathered at the Bluestone Country Club in Blue Bell, Pa., Sept. 9, 2024, to help raise money for an important charity — Construction Angels.

The 501(c) nonprofit organization provides immediate financial assistance and grief counseling to the spouse and children left behind when a construction worker is involved in a work-related fatality.

Groff Tractor & Equipment recently partnered with Construction Angels by becoming its Pennsylvania affiliate, leading to the inaugural "Tee Off for a Cause" golf classic. Money raised from the event through sponsorships, raffle prizes and the Beat-the-Pro competition totaled $118,000.

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"Today is the inaugural Groff Tractor & Equipment golf tournament and they are the first to bring us to the state of Pennsylvania for the first sold-out golf tournament at Bluestone Country Club," said Kristi Ronyak, CEO, founder and national director of Construction Angels. "Seventy-five percent of the proceeds will go to help families that have had a fatality, and the other 25 percent will help students for next year, either if they are trying to continue their education in construction or if they have lost a parent due to a job-related fatality. They can apply every year through our scholarship for anything they want."

"This is a cause that's very near and dear to our hearts and contractors," said Mike Savastio, co-president and CEO of Groff Tractor & Equipment. "If you are in this business, whether it's us on the dealer's side or our customers, unfortunately, you are probably going to face this at some point. When we met Construction Angels through John Deere, we jumped on board and became the affiliate for Pennsylvania. The beauty is that all the money we raise here today stays in Pennsylvania, so it truly is for the benefit of people who live in Pennsylvania and work in Pennsylvania."

As for the event, 27 groups of four competed and there was a three-way tie for first place with James D. Morrissey Inc., Kriger Construction Inc. and Mid Penn Bank each scoring a 57 at 14 under par. The longest drive winner was Jesse Betts of Allan Myers Inc. and the closest to the pin winner was Tripp McKeon of Construction Equipment Guide.

Savastio thanked the customers and vendors who helped make the inaugural golf classic a success and announced plans for future events, as well.

"Our plan is to cover all of Pennsylvania and rotate this event," he said. "This year is in eastern Pennsylvania, next year it will be in western Pennsylvania and in the third year, it will be in central Pennsylvania."

Ronyak also expressed her gratitude for all who made the fundraiser a success.

"I want to thank Groff Tractor for putting this incredible and well-organized first golf tournament together," she said. "We really appreciate your staff, all the sponsors and participants that you have brought together, which is exactly what we are looking for a host to do. We really appreciate the John Deere family and Groff to help us bring Construction Angels to Pennsylvania. We want everybody to know that your money is going toward a great cause." CEG

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