In its third year, the Stepping Stones’ Sporting Clays Tournament netted more than $80,000 for disabilities programming, a 43 percent increase over the amount raised in 2018. 

Board Member Matt Hemberger, Covington, was the top individual shooter in Friday’s Sporting Clays Tournament. 

Thirty-three teams competed in the public tournament, held Friday, May 10 at the Sycamore Pheasant Club in Loveland. A smaller, private tournament was held Saturday, May 11 for event sponsors. 

Friday’s winning team, which represented Fifth Third Insurance, consisted of Mike Haehnle, Milford; Doug Hynden, Indian Hill; Kyle Hynden, Walnut Hills, and Mike McGraw, Indian Hill. The day’s individual winner was Stepping Stones Board of Trustees Member Matt Hemberger, Covington. 

Saturday’s top team distinction went to members of the Stepping Stones’ Golf Classic Committee, made up of John Borchers Jr., Hyde Park; Graham Mercurio, Norwood; George Musekamp, Columbia Tusculum, and Jack Oliver, Hyde Park. Oliver was the day’s top individual shooter. 

Saturday’s winning foursome was made up of Jack Oliver, Hyde Park; John Borchers Jr., Hyde Park; Graham Mercurio, Norwood and George Musekamp, Columbia Tusculum. Oliver also was the day’s top individual shooter.

Event founders and co-chairs Peter Borchers and Brian Folke, both of Indian Hill, were joined on the planning committee by Kevin Frazier, Indian Hill; Mark Hill, Symmes; Eppa Rixey, Indian Hill, and Roger Winters, Terrace Park. 

"We know how hard it is to have a successful event, and Peter and I feel blessed to have had three in a row," Folke, a Stepping Stones Board of Trustees member, said. "The success is a byproduct of a lot of people working hard as a team. We thank everyone involved, from the staff, committee, and volunteers to — most importantly — the sponsors and players." 

Kerry Mongelluzzo, Ann Gibson, and Leanne Irvine, all of Indian Hill, made a great team at Stepping Stones’ Sporting Clays Tournament. 

Major sponsors of the 2019 Sporting Clays Tournament include: the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation; Brian Albach, Gregory Wells and Stepen Dauer; the Wyler Family Foundation; Beacon Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine; Brock & Scott, PLLC; and Calfee, Halter & Griswold, LLP. 

Peter Borchers and Brian Folke, both of Indian Hill, led the effort to plan and execute a record-breaking fundraiser for Stepping Stones’ programs for individuals with disabilities. 

Stepping Stones is a United Way partner agency serving more than 1,000 people with disabilities in day and overnight programs that increase independence and promote individual success. Founded in 1963, the agency provides educational, recreational and social programs at locations in Batavia, Indian Hill, Monfort Heights and Norwood. For more information, visit www.SteppingStonesOhio.org.