Over 100 golfers hit the greens at the Capital Hill Golf Course for a great cause on Friday morning.
At this open, the worse you can shoot for is par. Cheating is even encouraged, which results in some ridiculous scores.
“There’ll be some groups at 15, 16, 17 under,” said Paul Bulmer, Jonesy Open organizer.
Bulmer will be the first to tell you it’s all part of the fun.
The annual Jonesy Open isn’t about birdies, pars and bogeys. But rather, it’s all about raising money for Mike Jones and seeing him flash that smile.
“It’s overwhelming, and my heart just swells when I see all the support,” Jones said.
He’s a longtime veteran of the Albany Knickerbocker Rugby Club. Jones grew up in the South End and played the sport for 30 years.
But in February 2010, he suffered a life-threatening spinal cord injury while playing in a tournament.
It left him a quadriplegic.
“They walk the walk. This isn’t just talk. They’re there when we need them,” said Jones' wife, Lisa DeStaso-Jones.
After his life-changing injury, Jones’ teammates organized a golf fundraiser to help cover his medical bills. Opposing teams also chipped in to help.
Twelve years later, the entire rugby community is here, supporting Jones and his family.
“People have short memory. But Jonesy’s support crew, they’re here every year for him,” DeStaso-Jones said.
“We always thought it was maybe going to slow down or dwindle in numbers but it only keeps getting bigger," Jones said.
This year, there are more than a 150 participants teeing off. That includes rugby players from all over, trying to raise $30,000.
“We have guys that come up from White Plains every year," said Bulmer. "It was a club that was our fiercest rival. But when the game is over, they become our best friends.”
Rugby allowed Jones to form these kinds of relationships, while also traveling the world. The sport may have altered his life, but he’s still grateful for everything it has done for him.
“Even though I had a bad injury, rugby gave me more than I could give back to the sport itself,” Jones said.
