Continuing a Legacy of Giving Back to Hanover
Golf Committee: John Zimich, Dennis Puhalla, Tony Pointek, Joe Hritzik, Joe Manoski, Bill Haines, Paul Tomek
Foundation Committee: Mike Chwastyk, John Zimich, Steve Brezna, Dennis Puhalla
Over 40 years ago, two township natives, John Zimich, and Tom Tryba, began a golf tournament for former caddies and golfers from Hanover township. After a few years, they decided to raise funds for needy high school seniors. In 2023, Mike Chwastyk started a foundation that would continue to assist these graduates of Hanover High School.
Golf Tournament Funds Scholarships for Hanover Area Seniors
Since that first tournament, John Zimich and the late Tom Tryba, who came up with the idea of a golf tournament for former and current residents of Buttonwood, Hanover Green and Korn Krest, have provided thousands of dollars in scholarships for Hanover Area seniors. It was their proposal to enjoy a round of golf but to also do something for the community, which evolved into scholarships for Hanover seniors.
A Legacy of Community Support and Scholarships
Committee members have always focused on the awarding scholarships to those needing the most help. For example, having only one parent or being raised by a grandparent. We work in conjunction with the school's guidance department that presents us with a list of candidates to choose from.
The first golf tournament started in 1978 as the Hanover Township Invitational Golf Tournament, later becoming the Tritown Open, Hanover Area Open and currently the Hanover Open. The 2023 event and those following will now be known as the Hanover Open Golf Foundation Tournament. The event is open to everyone.
Lyndwood's Joe Kotch bested a field of 57 players in that first-ever Hanover Township Invitational Tournament with a three-over par 75 at the Wilkes-Barre Golf. Mike Tosh was runner-up with a 76 while the late Clem Shypuleski captured low net honors with a 71.
Annual Banquet and Community Support Fuel Hanover Open Scholarship Fund
The first awards banquet was held at the former Galaida's Restaurant in Hanover Green.
Over the years the charity golf tournaments have been held at the Wilkes-Barre Golf Club, Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club and Irem Temple Country Club.
Businesses and individuals have provided a bulk of the monies for the scholarships in the past through donations.
Hanover Open Golf Foundation Gains Tax-Exempt Status With Alumni Support
The Hanover Open on January 18, 2023 became the Hanover Open Golf Foundation and was given tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service.
And due to the generosity of two successful Hanover High School graduates Michael (Mike) Chwastyk and William (Bill) Haines, substantial seed money was presented to the Hanover Open Golf Foundation.
Both Mike and Bill were former district champions on the Hanover ’65,’66 WVC championship wrestling team.
Donors can deduct contributions to the Hanover Open Golf Foundation under IRC Section 170.
Officers of the Hanover Open Golf Foundation include John Zimich, president; Anthony (Tony) Pointek, vice president; Dennis Puhalla, treasurer; Joseph Manoski, secretary, and trustees William (Bill) Haines, Joseph (Max) Hritzik, and Paul Tomek.
Foundation Leaders and Supporters With Deep Ties to Hanover Community
All are graduates of Hanover High School, with the exception of Pointek, who is a Meyers High School graduate but has resided in Hanover Township for many years.
Interestingly, Puhalla was the first recipient of the national Tony Lema Scholarship back in his senior year at Hanover High School.
Besides Chwastyk and Haines, the foundation officers are very thankful and appreciative of Karen Hazleton and her daughter, Michelle, Nanticoke CPAs who donated their time and effort in the formation of the Hanover Open Golf Foundation.