Fundraisers

1st Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

The inaugural Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament was played on August 2, 2003. Sand Springs C.C. was the host venue for the sunny Saturday afternoon in August. The tournament had thirty foursomes to compete for the coveted honors of become the 1st Annual BDF Champions. The team of Lanny Masucci, Tony Barone, Tony Barone Jr., and Canio Cianci won the tournament by one stroke with an impressive score of 12 strokes under par (60).

2nd Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

On August 7, 2004 the presentation of the yellow jerseys were introduced to the Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. The yellow jerseys (most notably recognized for the leader of the multi-stage Tour de France bicycle race) would be awarded to the tournament champions from the previous year. The Foundation also decided to introduce the concept of the yellow jerseys in an attempt to raise cancer awareness to its tournament participants. On that first Saturday in August, the team of Masucci, Barone, Barone Jr., and Cianci were tested to defend their yellow jerseys at the 2nd Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. On another gorgeous day in August at Sand Springs C.C. twenty-eight foursomes went out to compete for the coveted yellow jerseys. The previous year’s victors were upset by Jim Forgione Jr., Brian Costanzo, Michael Coleman and Kevin Coleman with a new tournament scoring record of 14 strokes under par (58).

3rd Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

On July 30, 2005 yet another team went out to defend their yellow jerseys and tournament scoring record at the 3rd annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. Once again the weather cooperated; however, most of the 126 golfers will remember the conditions as being dry that particular day at Sand Springs C.C. As proven in the past, the difficulty to repeat as champions continued, as the team of Todd Forgione, Ben O’Brien, Ryan Swift and Ryan Bowen took home the honors with an astounding score of 15 strokes under par (57), while also setting a new tournament scoring record.

4th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

On a gorgeous afternoon on the last Saturday in July, 130 golfers took to the course to tackle a lengthened and well maintained Sand Springs C.C. Many teams were focused on preventing the defending champions of Todd Forgione, Ben O’Brien, Ryan Bowen and Ryan Swift from repeating in the 4th Annual BDF. As the defending champs took to the course, sporting their signature yellow jerseys, Mike Aversa took the place of Ryan Swift and immediately understood the pressures of this intense golf tournament. The 4th Annual BDF came down to a two team race and ended with a dramatic finish on the 18th hole. The winners from the 2nd Annual BDF missed a seven foot putt birdie putt on the 18th hole to finish at a score of 13 under par (59). Playing directly behind them, the defending champions were able to retain their yellow jerseys after they stuck a wedge from 120 yards to two feet. The repeat champions finished at a score of 14 under par (58) on the newly lengthened course.

5th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

For the fifth straight year, teams showed up in full force to claim the yellow jerseys and get their names on the coveted Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament plaque. Participants again loaded up their teams to try and take the prize away from the Tournament’s first back-to-back champions. Unfortunately, stellar play from the 2005 and 2006 Champions once again lifted the team of Todd Forgione, Ben O’Brien, Ryan Bowen and newcomer Brian Bradley to their third title and another attempt to defend their yellow jerseys. Their score of 15 under par (57) matched their previous tournament record accomplishment. Congratulations on the “three-peat”!

6th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

On July 26, 2008, the tradition continued as the last Saturday in July once again brought perfect weather and a full field of competitors to Sand Springs Country Club for the 6th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. The course was pristine, spirits were high, and all eyes were on the reigning dynasty of Team Todd—three-time defending champions proudly donning their yellow jerseys.

During the opening ceremony, Jim Forgione Sr. issued a heartfelt challenge to the field: “Today, we pin hunt.” It was more than a motivational moment—it was a signal that a new chapter could be written.

And it was. Rising to the occasion, a new champion etched their place in BDF history. Jack Dempsey Jr., Brian Dempsey, Derek Forgione, and Scott Hartshorn—a powerhouse group best known for their gridiron grit—delivered a stellar round of 16-under-par 56, setting a new tournament record and dethroning the three-time champions in dramatic fashion.

Their victory didn’t just claim the yellow jerseys—it earned them a rare place on the tournament’s prestigious Wall of Champions. Team Captain Jack became only the fourth team to receive that honor, joining a legendary lineage that continues to define the spirit of the BDF.

7th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

On July 25, 2009, twenty-five teams attacked Sand Springs C.C. with the hopes of capturing the 7th BDF Annual Golf Tournament title. Consistent with past tournaments, there were many birdies and eagles carded on the gorgeous July afternoon. However, the shot heard around the course belonged to Matt Schroeder. Matt – playing in his first BDF Tourney – carded a hole-in-one on #17; a par 3 measuring 186 yards. By doing so, he won a Hawaiian vacation for him and a guest for 8 days, 7 nights, airfare and hotel accommodations on the island of Oahu. The defending champions (Jack Dempsey, Brian Dempsey, Scott Hartshorn and Derek Forgione) got off to a slow start on the front nine as they felt the pressure of wearing the yellow jerseys but finished strong on the back to post a score of 14 under par (58). However, the team of Sal Marchese, Bobby Bliss, Frank Summa and Bobby Guyriska also posted a score of 14 under par to set up the tournament’s first ever sudden death shootout. Both teams safely made par on the 18th hole, which sent the teams to the lengthy 17th for the second playoff hole. Marchese, Bliss, Summa and Guyriska all missed their birdie chips, which opened the door for the defending champs. Derek Forgione seized the opportunity by nailing his birdie putt in the center of the cup to retain the yellow jerseys for Team Captain Jack.

8th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament 

Sunshine poured over NEPA on July 17, 2010, as a record-breaking field of 130 golfers arrived at Sand Springs Country Club for BDF8. Year after year, this tournament had grown into more than a competition—it had become a tradition, a tribute, and a test of supremacy among friends who played for pride, legacy, and the memory of Brian Forgione.

The target was clear: Team Captain Jack—Jack Dempsey, Brian Dempsey, Scott Hartshorn, and Derek Forgione—the back-to-back defending champions with ice in their veins and yellow jerseys on their backs. Every team came locked in, hungry to knock them from the perch they had climbed so confidently. But pressure is where champions thrive. With the field bearing down and pins tucked tight, the reigning champs stormed out of the gate. Their round was pure precision—calculated, clinical, and clutch. Birdies stacked. Momentum surged. And by the time the final putt dropped, they had delivered a blistering 17-under-par 55—breaking their own tournament record set just two years earlier. The win marked their third straight title, and the message was clear: this was no flash in the pan, this was a dynasty in the making. As Jack Dempsey Jr. said afterward with a grin, “We knew the field was coming for us—but we’d rather be hunted than forgotten.” With that, they turned their focus to 2011. A four-peat had never been done. The last Saturday in July was circled. The yellow jerseys were secured—for now.

9th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

The sun blazed over Sand Springs Country Club on July 30, 2011, as the 9th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament teed off with heavy anticipation. The last Saturday in July had now solidified its place as a hallowed date on the summer calendar—a celebration of community, competition, and Brian’s enduring legacy.

But as always, the storylines ran deeper than the weather. All eyes were locked on Team Captain Jack—Jack Dempsey, Brian Dempsey, Derek Forgione, and Scott Hartshorn—three-time defending champions and the undisputed dynasty of the BDF. The field was stacked, the challenge laid, and whispers of a changing tide swirled among the 130 participants.

For a moment, those murmurs seemed prophetic. The defending champs came out uncharacteristically slow, opening with pars on holes 2, 3, and 4. Could the pressure of chasing a fourth straight title—something no team had ever achieved—finally be catching up? Not quite. A birdie on the tricky par-3 fifth and an eagle on the par-5 sixth lit the fuse. From there, the momentum was unmistakable. And yet, the true drama came on their final hole: the par-4 first, now packed with spectators. With the clubhouse buzzing and the current leaders—Sal Marchese, Bobby Bliss, Kenny Sames, and Frank Summa—watching from the gallery after posting a strong 15-under (57), the moment belonged to one last swing.

Scott Hartshorn stepped up and drove the green, setting the stage for a make-or-break finish. A birdie would mean a playoff. But Brian Dempsey, calm and locked in, rolled in a bending 30-foot eagle putt—a walk-off that sent the gallery into chaos and secured their fourth consecutive title. It was one of the most electrifying finishes in BDF history. And just like that, Team Captain Jack had done the unthinkable: four straight yellow jerseys.  Their yellow jersey collection was growing but their legacy was no longer growing—it was cemented.

10th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

On July 28, 2012, thirty-four teams returned to Sand Springs Country Club to celebrate a defining milestone—the 10th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. What began a decade earlier as a heartfelt tribute had now grown into one of NEPA’s most beloved traditions: a day of friendship, fierce competition, and enduring community spirit, all in honor of Brian’s memory.  As always, the stakes were high—but this year carried special weight. Not only was it the tournament’s tenth anniversary, but Team Captain Jack—Jack Dempsey, Brian Dempsey, Scott Hartshorn, and Derek Forgione—entered as four-time defending champions. One more victory would secure their fifth straight title and further cement their dynasty on the Wall of Champions.  The BDF faithful buzzed with possibility. Could the kings stay on their throne? Early signs pointed to trouble. The reigning champs lipped several key birdie attempts and never quite found their trademark rhythm. Meanwhile, a new challenger emerged from the pack: Team Bart - Mike Bartoletti, Doug Walsh, and Nick Paraise, a trio of seasoned competitors who seized the moment with surgical precision. Their rock-solid play and hot putting hand delivered a sparkling 15-under-par 59, toppling the defending champs and ushering in a new chapter of BDF history.Though the jerseys changed hands, the mission remained unchanged. Ten years in, the Brian Forgione Foundation stood stronger than ever—its legacy woven into every swing, every smile, and every memory made beneath the summer sun.

11th Annual Brian Forgione Foundation Golf Tournament

On July 27, 2013, Sand Springs Golf Course once again welcomed golfers, friends, and family for the 11th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. Still glowing in the afterglow of a 10-year milestone, the BDF community looked back with pride—and forward with purpose—as the tournament’s impact and spirit showed no signs of slowing.

Before the opening tee shots, the Brian Forgione Foundation made a heartfelt contribution, presenting a $7,500 check to the American Cancer Society in support of their Coaches vs. Cancer Suits and Sneakers Weekend—a reflection of how far the Foundation’s mission of compassion and community giving had grown. The energy carried into the pre-round festivities with a putting contest that offered a $10,000 prize. Corey Higgins emerged from the qualifiers to take the stage, and though his 50-foot putt missed just wide right, he was met with cheers for his confident stroke and cool nerves under pressure.

Then came the main event: thirty-three teams setting out to dethrone the newest titleholders—Team Bart, featuring Mike Bartoletti, Doug Walsh, Nick Paraise, and Zack Ashworth—who had stunned the field the year prior and become only the fifth team in tournament history to earn a place on the Wall of Champions. But history has a way of welcoming familiar faces. The winners of the 2nd Annual Tournament Team —Jim Forgione, Brian Costanzo, Michael Coleman, and Johnny Haggerty—rose to the occasion with vintage form. After a hot 7-under (29) front nine, they poured in seven birdies and an eagle on the back for a blistering 16-under (56)—a performance that reclaimed the yellow jerseys and stirred memories of their early dominance. As the last putts dropped, there was a collective sense that the tournament had entered a new decade with renewed energy and tighter competition than ever before. What had started as a tribute now pulsed like a legacy in motion. If the first ten years were about building tradition, the next ten would be about deepening impact—on the course and beyond.

12th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

Clouds and morning showers gave way to radiant sunshine and gentle breezes by the afternoon—setting the stage for a picture-perfect day at the 2014 Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. Thirty-one teams arrived ready to challenge the reigning BDF 11 champions—Jim Forgione, Michael Coleman, Brian Costanzo, and John Haggerty—with eyes set on the coveted title.

With tight pin placements and deep tee boxes, Sand Springs Country Club once again offered a layout that was equal parts thrilling and demanding. Rising to the occasion, former champions Jack Dempsey, Brian Dempsey, Scott Hartshorn, and Derek Forgione delivered a blistering round—fueled by four eagles and a flurry of birdies—to clinch the 12th Annual BDF title at 17-under (55).

Nipping at their heels, two formidable squads tied for runner-up at 16-under (56): Todd Forgione, Ben O’Brien, Corey O’Brien, and Tommy Dempsey; alongside Timothy Dempsey, Mark Dougher, Mike Reilly, and Bobby Crofton.

The tournament also witnessed a milestone moment—its third-ever hole-in-one—courtesy of Kyle Dougherty, who aced the 120-yard third hole with precision.

13th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

On July 25, 2015, thirty-two teams gathered at Sand Springs Golf Course for the 13th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. Under clear skies and blazing summer heat, players teed off to honor the memory of their dear friend, Brian, and compete for the coveted BDF title.

Before play began, Tom Hurst came heartbreakingly close to pocketing $10,000 in the putting contest, sponsored by Toyota of Scranton—his 40-foot attempt just grazing the edge of the cup.

As the tournament got underway, the defending champions—Brian Dempsey, Jack Dempsey, Scott Hartshorn, and Derek Forgione—struggled to find the rhythm that brought them victory in past years, leaving the leaderboard wide open for new contenders.

Seizing the moment, the team of Doug Walsh, Mike Bartoletti, Trevor Woodruff, and Bobby Davis delivered a lights-out performance. Highlighted by a chip-in birdie on the demanding par-four second hole and an impressive three eagles, they fired a blistering 17-under 55 to secure the win—and with it, the honor of donning the yellow jersey for next year’s tournament.

14th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

Thirty-six foursomes descended upon Sand Springs Golf Course on July 30, 2016, to battle for glory at the 14th Annual Brian Forgione Foundation Golf Tournament. Storms loomed over Drums, PA throughout the day, but with Brian surely watching from above, the rain held off just long enough for an unforgettable finish. The squad of Brian Costanzo, Jim Forgione, John Haggerty, and Michael Coleman came out blazing—posting a blistering 27 (-9) on the front, followed by a scorching 28 (-8) on the back to post a tournament-leading 55 (-17). But hot on their heels was the dynamic crew of Ryan Swift, Todd Forgione, Tom Dempsey, and Ben O’Brien, who caught fire on the back nine with back-to-back eagles on holes 15 and 16 to match the leaders at 17-under. With the tension thick and a light rain falling, both teams parred the first playoff hole at 18 before trudging to the daunting par-3 17th for a final showdown. Each team found the green, but it was Dempsey’s dart to within 10 feet—and a confident birdie putt that followed—that sealed the deal, delivering a thrilling playoff victory and the coveted BDF title for Swift, Forgione, Dempsey, and O’Brien.

15th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

A brilliant July sun and a steady southerly breeze welcomed over thirty foursomes to Sand Springs Golf and Country Club for the 15th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament. Among the new hopefuls were several hungry squads eyeing an upset over the reigning champs—Todd Forgione, Ben O’Brien, Ryan Swift, and Tommy Dempsey—who arrived in trademark yellow. But the spotlight quickly shifted to the formidable team of Michael Coleman, John Haggerty, Jimmy Forgione, and Brian Costanzo, who came out firing with eight birdies and a single par on the front nine, carding a blistering 28. The defending champs stumbled with a costly par on the par-five eighth and closed the front nine at six-under, unable to close the gap. With a narrow two-shot cushion, Coleman and company kept their foot on the gas, navigating the back nine with surgical precision and adding six more birdies to finish at 14-under, 58. It was a commanding performance that delivered their third BDF title—and a firm reminder that experience and execution still reign supreme at Sand Springs.

16th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

Another picture-perfect day welcomed 27 foursomes to the 16th Annual Brian Forgione Foundation Golf Tournament on July 28, 2018, at Sand Springs Country Club. All eyes were on three-time champions Brian Costanzo, Jim Forgione, and John Haggerty as they looked to defend their BDF15 crown, and they came out swinging—finishing just one shot shy of the 13-under mark. Their near-miss sparked a dramatic three-team sudden death playoff, featuring past champions Ryan Swift, Todd Forgione, Tom Dempsey, and Ben O’Brien, the hometown Dunmore squad of Jack Kelly Sr., Jack Kelly Jr., Carmen Libassi, and Bob Coleman, and a hungry 1912 Club team of CJ Raymond, Gerard Rosato, Aaron Nye, and Kyle Colla. What followed was nothing short of legendary—ten grueling holes of alternating formats, dazzling shot-making, and unrelenting pressure. As darkness settled over Drums, PA, no victor emerged, but one truth remained absolute: in the world of BDF, the pursuit of glory never ends in a tie. The stage was set for unfinished business—and the makings of future folklore.

17th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

After nearly a year of shared bragging rights between the 1912 Club and Team Todd, the BDF Competition Committee settled the BDF16 title with a two-hole shamble playoff on July 27, 2019. Under clear skies and the watchful eyes of dozens of patrons, the 1912 Club opened strong—striping all four drives straight down the fairway to set the tone. But the seasoned veterans of Team Todd—already three-time champs—remained unfazed, responding with a pair of smooth birdie putts to grab a two-stroke lead heading into the final hole. Their approach play on the second shamble was clinical, closing out the match with composed tee-to-green execution that left little room for a comeback. As if one victory wasn’t enough, Team Todd caught fire again during the regulation round at Sand Springs Country Club, storming to a second win that same day—marking their fifth BDF title overall. It was a day for the history books, etched in bold by Todd Forgione, Ryan Swift, Tom Dempsey, and Ben O'Brien.

18th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

In a summer that challenged the field in countless ways, BDF18 on July 25, 2020, stood out as a welcome celebration of camaraderie and competition. A near-record 32 teams descended on Crystal Springs Country Club, greeted by perfect sunshine, positive vibes, and the familiar faces of friends and rivals. Team Todd—featuring Todd Forgione, Ryan Swift, Tommy Dempsey, and Ben O’Brien—came in red-hot, hoping to notch their third title in just 12 months. But the leaderboard lit up early, with low scores flying in from all corners of the field. A stunning six teams broke 60, but none could keep pace with the rejuvenated 1912 squad. CJ Raymond, Gerard Rosato, Kyle Reap, and Tommy O’Brien tore through the back nine with a blistering 27, securing their first BDF title with a 17-under performance that felt nothing short of historic.  The champions room got a little more crowded with new arrivals of the 1912 team which knocked on the door many times before with no answer.

19th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Golf Tournament

The BDF returned to Sand Springs on July 31, 2021, for its 19th consecutive showdown, and despite a week of punishing rain, the skies cleared in perfect time for BDF19 to shine. With the course drying just enough to spark drama, 130 golfers teed off under brilliant sunshine—and the excitement peaked early when Steve Borgia drained a jaw-dropping 50-foot putt to take home $10,000, electrifying the crowd. The reigning champs—CJ Raymond, Gerard Rosato, Kyle Reap, and Tommy O’Brien—came out firing, racing to 7-under by the turn, seemingly destined for a second title. But just ahead of them, a different storyline was heating up. Five-time champions Jack Dempsey, Brian Dempsey, Scott Hartshorn, and Derek Forgione were unleashing a masterclass in teamwork, piling on birdies and eagles en route to a blistering, record-setting 19-under finish. Their sixth championship in 19 years not only crushed the field, but reignited the legend of the yellow jersey, setting the stage for an epic return at the BDF’s 20th anniversary.

20th Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Tournament

With a mix of grit, finesse, and undeniable chemistry, Michael Coleman, Brian Costanzo, Jim Forgione, and John Haggerty captured their fourth BDF Golf Title on the event’s landmark 20th anniversary. Battling in a steamy mid-June heat, the veteran foursome carded a brilliant 13-under-par, pulling away from a fiercely competitive field of 30 elite teams. Their short game was razor-sharp, highlighted by back-to-back chip-ins on holes 11 and 12 that electrified the gallery. Haggerty’s clutch 30-foot birdie putt on 17th hole sealed the deal, drawing cheers that echoed across the fairways like a championship drumroll. With precision off the tee from Forgione and Costanzo’s pinpoint wedge game, the team showcased the kind of synergy only years of camaraderie can create. Their moment in time felt less like just another victory—and more like a legendary chapter written into BDF 20 folklore.  The yellow jerseys will fit snuggly for yet another year.

21st Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Tournament

Saturday July 29, 2023

22nd Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Tournament

On a scorcher of a day at the 22nd BDF Annual Golf Tournament, the 1912 team of CJ Raymond, Gerard Rosato, Aaron Nye and Kyle Colla powered through the heat to clinch their second BDF title with an astonishing 16-under-par finish. With 27 formidable foursomes chasing glory, the pressure never relented—but neither did their rhythm. Early in the round, Rosato chipped in from the rough on hole 6 for a surprise eagle that set them on a torrid streak for the rest of the round. Reap drained a monster 40-foot birdie putt before the turn for another eagle, while O’Brien’s bunker save on 14 was nothing short of surgical. CJ Raymond, steady as ever, birdied on his own ball to seal their two-stroke win. As the sun melted over the clubhouse, the victory felt like destiny—earned stroke by stroke, sweat by sweat.

23rd Annual Brian Forgione Memorial Tournament

Saturday July 26, 2025

Sand Springs Country Club

Drums, PA

10:30am Registration 

12:00 Shotgun Start