Paul R. Carey Memorial Golf Outing returns Sept. 21: Islanders support those facing health challenges

While summer comes to a close and Shelter Island begins to quiet down, many Island traditions still lie ahead, including the Paul R. Carey Memorial Golf Outing, slated for Monday, Sept. 21, at Gardiner’s Bay Country Club. The tournament, founded in memory of Paul R. Carey after he died from cancer 25 years ago, supports numerous East End health and quality-of-life causes.

Many of Paul’s siblings organize the outing each year, and ahead of this year’s event, the Reporter spoke with two of them, Chris Carey and Marianne Carey, about what’s in store.

“The Paul Robert Carey Foundation was founded in honor of our late brother, Paul Carey, who, like the rest of our family, grew up summering on the Island and had a great love for Shelter Island,” Marianne explained.

The tournament specifically targets “quality of life” initiatives and cancer services, such as Fighting Chance, which assists cancer patients on the East End with counseling, patient navigation and other services, or Kids Need More, which provides camp experiences for children affected by cancer and previously operated programs at Camp Quinipet.

While supporting both East End and Shelter Island programs, the beneficiaries on the Island can be a bit broader, including Our Lady of the Isle, supporting its community outreach services.

Supporting the tournament annually is a long list of local contributors, both in sponsorships and in donations. “In addition to the individual golfers and sponsors that support it, we do a raffle, of course, and many of the businesses on the Island are very generous in supporting it,” Marianne said.

They include Bliss Department Store, RAM Design, Shelter Island Spirits, Stars Café, The Chequit, The Pridwin, SALT, Vine Street Café, 1901 Grill, Gardiner’s Bay Country Club, Shelter Island Country Club, Binder Pools, Peeko Oysters, Shelter Island Slice, King Andrew Cheese, Assouline Vineyard, Marie Eiffel, Brian Cass, Commander Cody’s, Demarchelier, Serafina, Pure Soul, Shelter Island Pilates, Rams Head Inn, Finley’s Fiction, Lettuce Lady, Opties & Dinghies, The Islander, Heiberg Cummings, Moussa Drame/Shelter Island Yoga & Fitness, and many others.

“We’ve had great support from the local community. It’s been a great tradition over the years,” Chris added.

As for the golf side of the outing, players can expect a full day. “We expect a full field. We’ll have at least a foursome on every hole,” Chris said. The format is generally a scramble, with handicaps incorporated to help level the playing field for golfers of different abilities. There will also be closest-to-the-pin contests, longest-drive contests and holes and competitions honoring members of the Carey family and longtime friends of Paul, including Vincent DiGregorio, Tom Cassidy and Dennis Hayes.

Golfers can also expect meals, a cocktail hour, logo balls and, of course —“We’re on Shelter Island, you’ve got to have some local clams and oysters, right?” said Chris, whose brother Michael will sponsor this year’s raw bar.

Typically, more than 100 players tee it up during the outing, and this year, Chris highlighted one group to watch out for. “We’ve got a strong foursome entry from the Shelter Island Country Club,” he said. The group includes Pete Disch, Jim Buckland, Jim Gereghty and George Goodleaf. Though Chris said the scramble format makes for a fun day for golfers of any skill level.

This year’s tournament still has room for sponsors and players, “But it’s crunch time once we pass Labor Day,” Chris remarked.

Those interested in playing or supporting the outing should reach out to Nancy Carey Cassidy, either by email at [email protected] or by phone at 518-694-9216.