Snow golf tourney returns to Fayetteville Jan. 22

VILLAGE OF FAYETTEVILLE – The second annual CNY Snolf Tournament is putting the “fun” in fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 22.
The wintertime event is once again taking place at Lyndon Golf Course at 7054 E. Genesee St. in Fayetteville. It will be presented by Town of Cicero Councilor Mike Becallo and the operators of main sponsor Cafe 119, Carolanne and Charles Porto.
As the portmanteau in its name suggests, the nine-hole tournament is centered around the playing of golf in the snow when not a whole lot of green is in sight. Carolanne Porto said it gives participants something fun to do outside in the winter.
“Winter is a big part of living in Central New York, so we’re taking advantage of it by finding a way to get out and interact with a lot of different people,” she said.
In collaboration with the Cicero Police Department and its chief Steve Rotunno, the organizers are using the entirety of the proceeds from the event to pay energy bills for selected area residents and help them stay warm through the winter.
“There’s nothing better than directly helping residents in our community, and the more teams we get, the more families we get to help,” Becallo said. “If we can make life easier for them where they don’t have to decide between paying the energy bill and something else, we can put more food on the table or maybe let them buy a gift for their children, or put more money toward a loan.”
Registration is at 10 a.m. the day of the event. The cost is $100 per person and $400 for a team, but stand-alone players will be grouped in with others to make a team of four, Becallo said.
The fee covers the round of snolf along with coffee, hot chocolate, doughnuts, breakfast bars, cookies and hot toddies for anyone who wishes to indulge as well as a reception to follow down the street at Papa Gallo Mexican Restaurant, where local band The Party Sharks is booked to perform.
The tournament is being played captain and crew style, and participants who come out on top as members of the best team, the winner of the closest-to-the-pin competition, and the best dressed in attendance will be rewarded with cash prizes.
Becallo said those interested in showing up can either be experienced golfers or first-timers when it comes to the sport.
“Just like last year, it doesn’t matter to us if it’s your first time playing or you’re a pro at golf—you are going to have fun playing snolf,” he said.
Compared to last year’s tournament, the second annual event will see the organizers provide more snacks on the course before tee-off and an extra supply of neon orange golf balls, Becallo said.
He said there are already returning participants and newcomers for the event and that additional volunteers are welcome.
“I’m really excited for a great turnout whether the sun is shining and whether the snow is up to our knees or just a dusting,” Becallo said. “It’s gonna be a blast.”
The Portos, who have owned Cafe 119 since 2001, would hatch the idea to bring snolf to Central New York after witnessing people playing it up north in Cape Vincent.
Checks for the tournament are to be made payable to the Portos/Cafe 119 at 119 E. Seneca St., Manlius, NY with “CNY SNOLF Tournament 2023” written in the memo line.
To register by phone call Carolanne Porto at 315-420-8424. Hole sponsorship is $50.