SARATOGA SPRINGS — Recently, Lisa Best and family presented a check for $16,000 to the Saratoga Regional YMCA at the Wilton Branch. The Best family chose the YMCA as their charity of choice for a memorial gift in honor of their beloved husband and father Bob, whose sudden passing last spring left the family wanting to continue his legacy of giving and living life to the fullest. Creating pathways for disadvantaged youth to participate in the education and wellness programs offered by the YMCA became a goal of Bob’s family, friends, and long-time business associates who came together with a shared mission to create theBob Best Annual Memorial Golf Tournament.
The Best family were long-time members of the YMCA and know first-hand the benefits Y membership and programs offer. “Bob was a fantastic athlete; an expert skier, talented basketball player (many games played in Y adult leagues), and avid golfer” said Michael Holland, a close friend of Bob’s. “He was well-known in local amateur golf leagues and tournaments, and we thought a golf tournament in his honor would be the best way to keep his memory alive, celebrate his adventurous spirit, and let others honor him by contributing to the tournament. The outpouring of love and support for Bob was frankly overwhelming.”
The tournament was held October 7, 2018 at the Van Patten Golf Club in Clifton Park. In all, Bob’s friends and family raised over $17,000 for his memorial fund. Of that money raised $16,000 was donated to the Bob BestMemorial Scholarship Fund at the Saratoga Regional YMCA, and a $1,000 scholarship was also established in Bob’s name through the Saratoga Builders Association to benefit a local student entering the building trades.
“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Best family” said Andrew Bobbitt, Saratoga Regional YMCA CEO. “With their support in Bob’s memory, we will be able to send 10 kids to camp that might otherwise not have the opportunity, and provide them with some resources that will give them the best experience possible. We will also support membership costs for youth in the Saratoga Sponsor a Scholar program.”
