(Ellwood City, PA) First National Bank won a third consecutive Champions Cup in a Butler County Community College Education Foundation golf outing that also recognized two other squads, including one that finished in 12th place, and raised $109,000 in unrestricted funds to support college initiatives.
The BC3 Education Foundation golf outing began in 1996 and, in 2019 awarded its first Champions Cup — a 27-inch-high trophy modeled after the NHL’s Stanley Cup and purchased and gifted to the foundation by one of the nonprofit organization’s 16 volunteer directors.
The names of Jeff Baker, Jordon Baker, Mike Douds and Brandon Miller will be engraved on the trophy after the members of the First National Bank team finished the scramble with the lowest score, a 16-under Oct. 12 at the par-70 Olde Stonewall Golf Club near Ellwood City.
The BC3 Education Foundation also acknowledged the outing’s second- and third-place teams — Farmers National Bank Team 1 and the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, respectively — and a fourth squad whose placement reflects a recent college superlative.
The recognition of the outing’s 12th-place squad — Armco Credit Union’s Mark Buchek, Dale Hartzel, Dave Hilliard and Tony Shakely — represents BC3 in August being chosen as the No.1 community college in Pennsylvania for the 12th time since 2015.
“There’s a lot of pride in that. Twelve times,” said Kyle Hilfiger, a branch manager for Farmers National Bank of Canfield, Ohio, which was the title sponsor of the golf outing for the 16th consecutive year.
“I remember that first one and what a big deal it was, but it also made sense. You see it and you know why. BC3 is earning that. They are not living in the past. They are thinking every year ‘What can we do to get better?’”
“Unrestricted funding is incredibly valuable because it gives the BC3 Education Foundation the flexibility to respond to the college’s greatest needs and emerging opportunities."
- Mikayla Moretti, executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation and external relations.
Farmers National Bank’s Team 1 shot a 14-under to place second in the Butler County Community College Education Foundation golf outing Oct. 12 at the par-70 Olde Stonewall Golf Club near Ellwood City. From left, Beth Fruehstorfer, Bill Hunter, Kenneth Macadaeg and Kyle Hilfiger.
The Alliance for Nonprofit Resources shot a 13-under to place third in the Butler County Community College Education Foundation golf outing Oct. 12 at the par-70 Olde Stonewall Golf Club near Ellwood City. From left, Cody Slater, Nelson Johnson, Jacob Grumski and Zach Carlino.
Armco Credit Union’s team was recognized for placing 12th in the Butler County Community College Education Foundation golf outing Oct. 12 at the par-70 Olde Stonewall Golf Club near Ellwood City. The acknowledgment represented BC3 in August being named for the 12th time as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania since 2015. From left, Mark Buchek, Dale Hartzel, Dave Hilliard and Tony Shakely.
Skills competition winners in the Butler County Community College Education Foundation golf outing Oct. 12 were, top row from left, Paul Arnold, Sam Kearns and Dr. Josh Novak; and bottom row, from left, Nadine Tripodi, Tristan Tripodi and Rick Williams. Arnold, of J & J Fire Protection, won closest to the pin on No. 15 at the outing held at Olde Stonewall Golf Club near Ellwood City. Kearns, Enviro Testing Solutions, won longest putt on No. 18; Novak, Farmers National Bank Team 2, longest drive on No. 10; Nadine Tripodi, Butler Coffee Lab, closest to the pin on No. 7; Tristan Tripodi, Butler Technologies, closest to the pin on No. 14; and Williams, NexTier Bank, closest to the pin on No. 5.
The 2026 golf outing drew 30 teams and 120 golfers.
“Unrestricted funding is incredibly valuable because it gives the BC3 Education Foundation the flexibility to respond to the college’s greatest needs and emerging opportunities,” said Mikayla Moretti, executive director of the foundation and external relations.
“Whether it’s addressing unexpected student needs or supporting programs and strategic initiatives, these funds allow us to make a meaningful impact where it’s needed most. The continued generosity of our sponsors and golfers helps ensure we can be responsive to the evolving needs of our students, our community and our college.”
Farmers National Bank Team 1’s Beth Fruehstorfer, Hilfiger, Bill Hunter and Kenneth Macadaeg shot a 14-under in placing second and the Alliance for Nonprofit Resources’ Zach Carlino, Jacob Grumski, Nelson Johnson and Cody Slater a 13-under in finishing third.
First National Bank in winning a third Champions Cup tied the Butler Eagle, which won the trophy in 2019, 2020 and 2022.
Jeff Baker, of First National Bank, said he attended Frederick (Md.) Community College and “earned my associate degree and then went on to a four-year degree. Community colleges are very important. It’s a good way to get an education and to not take on as much debt as you would in starting at a four-year institution.”
The outing has raised nearly $1.7 million since 1996.
Winners of skill competitions were Rick Williams, NexTier Bank, closest to the pin on No. 5; Nadine Tripodi, Butler Coffee Lab, on No. 7; Tristan Tripodi, Butler Technologies, on No. 14; and Paul Arnold, J & J Fire Protection, on No. 15.
Dr. Josh Novak, Farmers National Bank Team 2, had the longest drive on No. 10; and Sam Kearns, Enviro Testing Solutions, the longest putt on No. 18.
The Champions Cup was donated to the BC3 Education Foundation in 2019 by Kelly and John Giles, owners of Butler Business Systems, Butler. Kelly Giles was a director on the BC3 Education Foundation board.
BC3 in August was ranked as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania for 2027 by Niche.com.