Going for the Green
Area golfers shine in support of kidsBy MARY MARGARET PECHT Sentinel reporter mmpecht@lewistownsentinel.com
Article Photos
OAKLAND MILLS - It was a glorious day for golf. Blue skies, temperatures in the 70s. Golfers came off the links, their bags of clubs swinging from their shoulders or trailing along behind.
But they were not the stars of the day.
The team of Ed Snyder, Dale Spade, Jay Shoemaker and Don Garrison were awarded top place in the tournament - carding a cool 56.
But they were not the stars of the day.
Two disabled, little girls came on the scene. Erin Kelly, 5, tooled around on her motorized vehicle and rode up to greet a horse standing nearby. Ellie Ritzman, 8, jumped and strained against her mother's arms, eager to get to the two horses.
They were not golfers, but they were the stars of the day.
The two represented the Four Seasons Equestrian Program, for whom Friday's benefit golf tournament at Lost Creek Golf Club was held.
Eighty golfers in 20 teams teed off at the Oakland Mills facility Friday afternoon, in an effort to raise funds to benefit the Four Seasons program- raising money for a few needed supplies, but mainly for the care of the horses used in the program.
The horses need to be housed, fed and be treated by a farrier and veterinarian throughout the year, although they are not used as much in winter, Twyla Pellman said.
The Pellmans hope to repeat the 18-hole golf tournament in the future and, in time, proceeds could help to defray the costs of the sessions for the riders, Pellman added.
Both children present Friday have major disabilities - Kelly, daughter of Patrick and Heather Kelly, of Lewistown, has muscular dystrophy, while Ritzman, daughter of Derek and Diane Ritzman, of McAlisterville, has cerebral palsy
Sisters Twyla Pellman and Teresa Pellman share ownership of the Four Seasons Equestrian Center, located in Decatur Township, near McClure. They have instituted an equestrian program through which they teach disabled individuals how to ride.
But horsemanship is not the supreme goal. The overriding goal of the program is to help the riders develop balance, learn motor skills, develop self-esteem and have fun in the process.
After dinner at the tournament, the children demonstrated riding and activities associated with therapeutic riding - a visual affirmation of the benefit of the program for the golfers. This included removing rings from a cone and placing them on another cone, from horseback. The exercise, Twyla Pellman said, is "to learn reaching skills, hand-eye coordination, using balance muscles in a fun way.''
Heather Kelly, whose daughter began therapeutic riding in July, said the little girl loves her riding sessions and was thrilled with being able to ride twice this week - her regular session and the special demonstration.
"She gets to run on a horse, which mimics actual running. That's big stuff for us,'' Kelly said.
Diane Ritzman also is enthusiastic about the program. As she watched her daughter ride, surrounded by program volunteers, and then break into a jog, the golfing crowd cheered and the mother smiled.
"It's definitely helped with her balance and core structure. She is wild about it. She loves it. I think for her it's a big thing to do something just like the other kids. That's big for her,'' she said.
Golfers Frank Miller and Rocco Pallotto, both of Lewistown, were part of a team sponsored by Miller's company, Kenworth of Pennsylvania.
"This is a great challenge that involves children. What better way to spend your money than this, to benefit special needs children, yet?'' Miller said, of his decision to participate. "The weather's perfect. What can you argue with?''
Pallotto said he learned about the tournament from Miller, and "since I love to golf, I jumped at the chance to take part and help the children.''
Pat Cook, of Mifflin, participated in the tournament with a group of friends. Although her motive for participating was basically the same, it also had a bit of a twist.
"That used to be our horse,'' she said, nodding at one of the horses waiting patiently beside their trailer. "We learned about the tournament and we knew the horse was going to come here. He's 28 years old. We gave him to Teresa and Twyla years ago.''
For her golfing team, she added, "We just play golf for fun. We enjoyed it and we'll do it again.''
Linda Leitzel and her husband, Tom, of McAlisterville, and friends Susie and Roger Shallenberger, also of McAlisterville, formed a team for still another reason.
"Ellie Ritzman is a friend of ours. We came to support the riding program. It wasn't because we love golf, it was because we love Ellie. We had a wonderful day,'' Leitzel said.
An outdoor barbecue after the golf tournament was donated and catered by the Waterfront Tavern in Lewistown.
"I heard about this event. I have a healthy, beautiful little girl. The Pellmans just pour their souls into helping the (disabled) children. They give their lives to this cause. It just blew me away,'' said manager Derek Confer. "I talked to our owner (Don Chapman) , and he gave me the green light to (donate the dinner).''
Placing second in the tourney with a score of 58 was the team of Jill Pellman, Dan Shoemaker, Brett Myers and Paul Zeiders. The team of Doug Pierce, Rod Kennedy, Andy Ort and Bill Yeagle came in third with a score of 60. Prizes were $200 for first place, $100 for second and two sleeves of golf balls for third.
A hole-in-one would have rewarded the golfer with a truck, donated by an area dealer. Other businesses also donated prizes and monetary support.
Twyla's husband, Greg Pellman, was deep in the activities of the tournament day, while Teresa's husband, Tony Pellman, stayed back at the barn to do the chores. Both men are supportive of their efforts, the women said.
