Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, NJ will be the NEW home of the 21st Annual DOORS Golf Challenge. Great course, beautiful facility, big prizes and fun contests. Should be a great day.
When you register, remember that every penny goes directly to help kids and adults with autism at DOORS, as well as supporting our new partner in this tournament, the John Theurer Cancer Center.
Know you're in? Register Now!
The DOORS Golf Challenge – How it Started
By Mike Maron
Our founder weighs in on his journey with autism and the roots of a golf tournament that’s funded programs for kids and adults with autism for 21 years.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of my son Greg’s autism diagnosis. The first thing that popped into my mind when my wife came back from the developmental pediatrician and gave me the diagnosis was “there’s no way he has autism. We do so many fun things together. I mean, ok, he’s two years old and only says “mama and dada, but he’s so active and affectionate, and to me he was perfect, I see him every day”. Being a first-time father, I had no reference to compare him to, so I did not realize he was not hitting his milestones. I was so in awe of Greg and in denial, I didn’t see that his progression had leveled off, and in some areas (speech and eye contact, for example), he was regressing. I remember running down to my local library to learn about autism thinking, “these books are going to show me I’m right, that Greg is fine”. I remember taking Greg to the pediatrician and we told him about some of this, he said not to worry, boys tend to develop later than girls. My mother-in-law had noticed Greg had hit this plateau after 18 months and suggested we find a developmental specialist, and the specialist gave us the diagnosis.
At the library, I pulled a couple of autism books from the shelves. I didn’t even sit down to read them because I figured “I won’t be here that long because Greg is nothing like Dustin Hoffman’s character in Rain Man. I’ll just read a little bit just to double-check to make sure I’m right”. As I read more, I began to realize that these books were describing Greg to a T. My heart began to race, and I tried to remain calm. I kept reading. Now I’m really starting to panic inside and I started getting light-headed. And when I read the fateful words, that there is no known cause and no cure for this disease, I nearly fainted. I grabbed onto the shelf to keep from falling. It was real, Greg had autism, and it was no joke.
I decided that day that I would have to go to war with autism and do whatever I could to get my son back.
Fast forward two years. I’m sitting in a small room with other parents at Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center. It was “Back to School Night”. A distinguished gentleman, parent of a 19-year old young man with autism, got up to expresses his concern about what would be the future of his son after “aging out” of the school. Very few programs existed for adults at the time. At the end of his plea, he breaks down crying. That hit me like a Muhammad Ali right hook. I thought, if this man is brave enough to show his vulnerability, it must be really serious. After all, that could be my son’s future as well unless we did something. That’s when I jumped in to act, and started the event I hope you will be playing in, our 21st annual Golf Challenge.
Through the work of DOORS, the parent association, in collaboration with the Douglass School, the lives of children and adults at the DDDC have been enriched with an after-school program, summer camp, adult services, weekend respite, and so much more. Greg attended the after school program for many years as well as the summer camp. He learned how to roller skate through this program and when I saw him getting so much pleasure out of it, I went right out and bought a pair of skates for myself. Greg and I have been skating together for over 20 years now. It has brought us so much joy.
This year, through the extreme hard work of my great friend Rich Walters, we are excited to expand our event and bring in a new Title Sponsor – EA Berg Associates. Now two organizations are pooling their efforts to raise funds for autism and cancer. We’re happy to help out the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack Meridien Health. I hope you will join us for a memorable day on the links for two great causes.
Sincerely,
Mike Maron
Golf Challenge Founder
Carry on Mike and Greg's legacy on September 24th!
Schedule of Events
Check-In: 10:30 AM
Lunch & Warm-Up: 11:00 AM
Shotgun Start: 12:30 PM
(Scramble Format)
Putting Challenge: @ Turn
Cocktails, Dinner & Awards: 5:30 PM
Registration Includes
Welcome Gifts for All Players
Multiple On-Course Contests
1st - 3rd Team Placements
Great Silent Auction & Raffle!
2018 Major Sponsors
2018 Sponsors
The Maron Family
GREG MARON FAN CLUB
SULTANA
Thank You to Our Former Sponsors
Eric Hinds
The Zadroga Family
The Mike Murphy Family
The Jimmy Goo Family
Participation Fees
All Sponsorship Packages Include: Company Logo/Name on Tournament Website, Event Banner and Custom Signage on Golf Course.
Player Packages
All Player Packages Include Lunch and Dinner
Title Sponsor: $8,000 (SOLD)
4 Golf Foursomes
Company Logo on all 18 Pin Flags
Company Logo/Name on Premium Welcome Gift
Company Logo on all Golf Cart Signage
Prominent Day-Of Event Recognition
Exclusive Sponsorship on 1st Tee
Exclusive Awards Dinner Sponsor
Presenting Sponsor: $5,750
2 Golf Foursomes
Custom Branded Tee Box Markers - 2 Per Tee Box
Company Logo on all Golf Cart Signage
Appreciation Gift for Each Player
Exclusive Sponsorship at Lunch or Cocktail Reception
Company Logo on Golf Cart Signage
Double Eagle Sponsor: $3,000
Golf Foursome
Golf Cart or 10K Putt Sponsor
Eagle Sponsor: $2,150
Golf Foursome
Birdie Sponsor: $1,100
Golf Twosome
Player Packages
Foursome: $1,600
Threesome: $1,200
Twosome: $800
Single: $400
Non-Player Packages
Trick-Shot Entertainer: $1,500
Roger Caldwell - On-Course Entertainer
Wear Sponsor Branded Apparel
Represent Sponsor at Par 3 Hole
Welcome Gift Sponsor: $1,500
Logo on Premium Welcome Gift
Hole N One Sponsor: $1,000
Exclusive Company Logo on HNO Signage
Golf Cart Sponsor: $750
Branded Signage on Golf Carts
Golf Ball Sponsor: $750
Branded Sleeve of Golf Balls
Distributed to all Players
Contest Sponsor: $750
Practice Facility Sponsor: $750
Beverage Cart/Station Sponsor: $750
Photography Sponsor: $500
Tee Box Sponsor: $300
Cocktails & Dinner Only
Single Guest: $125
Directions
In the Spring of 2014 Galloping Hill Golf Course completed a golf course renovation project with famed architect Rees Jones. Mr. Jones, often referred to as "The Open Doctor", took on the challenge of restoring the original shot values to Galloping Hill created by Willaird Wilkinson. The scope of work also included updating the course drainage and extensive tree work. Each bunker at Galloping Hill was renovated and built to industry standards. The result is a beautiful golf course that is fun to play for players of all skill level.
3 Golf Drive
Kenilworth, NJ 07033
P. (908) 241-8700
Check by Mail
Payable & Mail To: DOORS, Inc.
ICO: 2018 Golf Outing
99 Leigh Ave.
Princeton, NJ 08542
Contact Us
Roger Caldwell
Great Golf Events
(913) 385-3900
Rich Walters
E.A. Berg & Associates
(732) 803-2520
Jim Christy
DOORS Golf Challenge
(917) 604-2175