NELA Golf Tournament Draws National Support

NELA’s Immediate Past President Mike Callahan of Able Limousine (right) with Arthur Messina of Create-A-Card, winner of the Closest to the Pin trophy Marlborough, Mass. — The New England Livery Association’s (NELA’s) 19th Annual George Colarullo Memorial Golf Tournament was another successful outing for the annual charitable endeavor. A strong showing from the association’s own members was further bolstered by industry support from around the country as operators, vendors, and friends flocked to the Marlborough Country Club on August 7..

The day of camaraderie and friendly competition had teams of golfers battling it out for the first-place finish, as well as various contests on the green, like Longest Drive and Closest to the Pin. Team L.A. Limousine, captained by NELA board 2nd Vice President Tina Benson, took home the first-place trophy.

“They’re always a strong team in this tournament. Team L.A. Limousine, captained by Tina’s son, Justin Benson, has won this annual tournament numerous times since it began in 2000,” said NELA Executive Director Rick Szilagyi. The team also included Brian Nowak, Dylon Lortie, and Tina’s brother Carl Varney, who many may recognize for his help at NELA’s Chauffeur Appreciation Day.

NELA Honorary Director Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments shows off the breakfast sponsored by Chauffeur Driven Team Able Limousine, captained by Immediate Past President Mike Callahan of Able Limousine, came in second and included Mike Xidea, who scored a hole-in-one during the tournament, Jeff Canady of CLT Express in Charlotte, N.C., and Alex Scriccio, who also represented the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation during the dinner/awards event. Third place went to Team Advantage Funding, captained by Golf Committee member Dan Morgan and included Dante Rizzo, Patrick Laffan of MCI, and Seth Robbins, Esq., nephew of late NELA board member Jerry Robbins of Weldon Worldwide.

Additional winners included Arthur Messina of Create-A-Card getting Closest to the Pin on Hole 12 while Mike Xidea of Team Able Limousine landed Closest to the Pin on Hole 7 with a hole-in-one. Brian Nowak of Team L.A. Limousine got the Longest Drive at Hole 16 and Stephanie Prince of Prince Limousine won the top raffle price, a 49” UHD TV 4D.

But in a day filled with trophies and prizes, the real winners were the charities benefiting from the fundraiser, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and CHIPS House.

NELA’s Immediate Past President Mike Callahan of Able Limousine (left) and Executive Director Rick Szilagyi with two of the day’s golfers Both charities are personally linked to the association. Friends of Callahan’s have cystic fibrosis running in their families while Dawson Rutter of Commonwealth Worldwide has supported the foundation for years. And CHIPS House, which offers long-term care and independent living opportunities in a community environment to those with head injuries, is where founding-NELA-member and tournament namesake George Colarullo’s son resides.

The next NELA event will be its September 11 quarterly meeting.

Visit nelivery.org for more information.

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