Footgolf organized by Freehold High School student supports soccer disabled

• Freehold Borough High School student Zack Dabby organized a footgolf fundraiser for New Jersey Youth Soccer’s TOPSoccer Program.
• The “Every Kick Counts” event, sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health, hosted over 50 participants at Bel-Aire Golf Course.
• Former U.S. Men’s National Team captain Tab Ramos made a surprise appearance, playing and interacting with participants.
• The event aimed to provide a fun and inclusive experience for children with special needs through the sport of footgolf.

A Freehold Borough High School student organized a footgolf event for soccer players with disabilities – raising funds to support New Jersey Youth Soccer’s TOPSoccer Program, which provides soccer programming to nearly 1,000 players with mental or physical disabilities.

“I had so much fun playing in the event and helping all of the players have fun,” said Zack Dabby, a rising junior who estimated spending 100 hours over the last eight months working on the project. “I got to meet some players for the first time and others I knew from Challenger Sports. I am also grateful for all of the support from my family and friends who volunteered at the event.”

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Dabby’s father Evan is CEO of New Jersey Youth Soccer, which governs leagues throughout the state comprised of more than 100,000 players from 5 to 19 years old.

More than 50 participants and volunteers took part in “Every Kick Counts” sponsored by RWJBarnabas Health at Bel-Aire Golf Course, Wall, July 11.

Footgolf is a soccer-golf hybrid played with a regulation soccer ball on a golf course. Players try to get the ball into a 21-inch hole in the least amount of kicks.

“FootGolf is such a fun activity, it was truly inspiring to see so many kids with special health care needs participate,” said Justin Edelman, RWJBarnabas Health senior vice president.

The players and families were treated to a surprise when Tab Ramos, former U.S. Men’s National Team captain, showed up and played with various groups on the course, taking photos and signing autographs after the round.

Ramos grew up Hudson County and attended Saint Benedict’s Preparatory School, where he scored a school record 161 goals, including 57 in his senior year.

Howell resident Michelle Costantino – whose son, Jack, played – called the outing “phenomenal.”

“What I loved about the event was that it built upon the buddy system, which I think it a crucial relationship. I feel like my son, who is on the autism spectrum, gains so much,” she said.

Other event sponsors were TOPSoccer via a grant from U.S. Youth Soccer, New York Red Bulls, Ray Catena of Lexus, Audi and Mercedes and SCORE Sports. Hole sponsors included WeDo and Toyota. Event donors included Wegmans (food and snacks), MLS GO and the NYNJ World Cup Host Committee (t-shirts), PRIME (beverages), Print2Go (signage), Central Jersey Pools and Gotham FC.