NJ Cops’ Day Off
Golf event at Crystal Springs gives New Jersey law enforcement
officers an unprecedented day to relax and enjoy
n BY MITCHELL KRUGEL
Now this is everything NJ Cops deserve on a day off.
A beautiful day in the sunshine.
A hearty feast.
A good cigar.
A gathering with friends, colleagues and those who love law
enforcement.
Add in some spirited competition matching NJ State PBA Lo-
cals and other agencies playing perhaps the best golf course in
all of New Jersey, and you have the first NJ Law Enforcement
Open at Crystal Springs Resort’s Ballyowen Golf Club on July 12.
“What a great way to relax,” exclaimed Terry Lawler of Allen-
dale-Waldwick Local 217, one of the 44 officers to compete in
two-man teams for the trophy that will be showcased at the NJ
State PBA offices in Woodbridge. “When you’re all stressed out
from the job, it’s great to come out and play a little golf and get
a little fresh air.”
Crystal Springs Chief Marketing Officer Chris Mulvihill antici-
pated that golf and law enforcement would make a long-lasting,
exciting, mutually beneficial partnership when he conceived
the Law Enforcement Open. He has created an event that pays
tribute to law enforcement, especially with the flags on each
hole made with patches from PBA Locals and NJ agencies, and
donates proceeds to the Police Unity Tour and Stand With Hon-
or campaign for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memo-
rial (NLEOM).
Unity Tour Executive Director Harry Phillips represented the
NLEOM, playing with partner Matthew Palardy and making the
tournament’s final four playoff. The top four teams played in a
shootout for the trophy and the accompanying prize of free golf
twosomes for its organization the rest of the season.
The prize and the opportunity to match against other officers
were part of the attraction to this event.
“Yes, there is a little pride factor,” conceded Mark West, re-
tired Lincoln Park Local 192 member, who made the playoff
with his partner and fellow 192 member Stephen Zoeller.
The Law Enforcement Open also presented an abundant
dose of what drives officers on the job and on the golf course.
“The challenge,” admitted Middlesex County Corrections Lo-
cal 152 member Robert Locorriere, who built playing the event
into a vacation week. “You challenge yourself every hole, every
shot. Sure, you want to play well, but it doesn’t really matter. You
enjoy the challenge, come out and meet other officers and have
a good time.”
Make no mistake, however. There is one aspect of being a
law enforcement officer that translates to success on the golf
course.
“Patience,” reported Fair Lawn Local 67 member Sean Macys,
who played with fellow 67 member Anthony Lugo. “On the job,
you have to have patience with people, and that helps me have
patience with myself out here.”
Patience plus challenge equaled drama in the first Law En-
forcement Open. Local 217’s Lawler and partner Dan Rosendahl
joined Local 152’s Loccorriere and partner Matt Finn, Lincoln
62
NEW JERSEY COPS
■ JULY 2017
Stephen Zoeller (left) and Marc West of Lincoln Park Local 192 hoist the tro-
phy after winning the first Law Enforcement Open at Ballyowen Gold Club.
Dan Dubois (back) and Mark Dubois of Wayne Township Local 136 line up
a putt.