Mother Nature smiled on the more than 225 golfers competing in the 32nd Annual Hankin Golf Invitational Monday at the Whitford Country Club in Exton.

Although enough rain had fallen in the past two weeks for people to confuse southeastern Pennsylvania with Seattle, the skies had cleared for this epic fundraiser that started with just a few dozen people back in the mid-1980s.

If you think it was Lady Luck forcing the weather to cooperate, though, think again.

“Back in 1987, my grandfather (Hankin Group founder Bernard Hankin) wanted this to be an autumn event,” said Michael Hankin, the Chief Operating Officer of Hankin Group. “He picked the first Monday in October because he was looking at the Farmers’ Almanac, and that happened to be the day with the least amount of rain.”

A total of 57 foursomes teed off in support of Handi-Crafters, a nonprofit in Thorndale that empowers individuals with disabilities to lead more independent, productive, and fulfilling lives by helping them access rewarding job opportunities in the community and in the organization’s production hub. This marks the fifth year that Handi-Crafters has been the beneficiary of the Hankin Golf Invitational, and with this year’s donation, more than $1 million will have been raised since 2014 to support its socially responsible mission to serve the needs of those who are differently-abled in Chester County and the and surrounding area.

“In 1987, at our first golf event, we were worried about our turnout, because the Dow Jones Industrial Average was around 2,200 and was about to drop 500-600 points,” Bob Hankin, the CEO of Hankin Group, said about the stock market crash that became known as Black Monday. “This Invitational has come a long way since then.

“It’s almost like a family event, with so many of our associates here – the subcontractors, the bankers, the lawyers, and all the people we work so closely with.”

More than 70 companies were represented, either on the golf course or through sponsorships, Monday at Whitford Country Club.

“It (the Hankin Golf Invitational) has taken on a life of its own,” said Michael Hankin. “It’s beyond Hankin. It’s beyond (co-sponsor) Bentley Systems. It’s an event in and of itself.”

April Ennis-Pearson, the Director of Development from Handi-Crafters, and Beverly Abbonizio, Hankin Group’s Director of Marketing, were tasked with coordinating the logistics, and the end result couldn’t have been more of a victory for all involved.

“We are very pleased to be part of this magnificent day,” said Amy Rice, Executive Director of Handi-Crafters. “We are deeply honored by the support of Hankin Group and Bentley Systems and the over 70 sponsors who have made a real and significant impact on supporting our operations.”

Speaking of victories … Jim Mayrides, George Zumbano, and Mike Miller took home some extra cash through the Helicopter Golf Ball Drop. The helicopter, which dropped hundreds of golf balls onto the course, was flown by Richard Hankin, Bob’s brother.

Mayrides won $1,000 when the golf ball he purchased for $20 fell closest to the pin, while Zumbano’s ball was the second-closest, giving him $500. Miller’s was the furthest, and that earned him $500.

The winning foursome – Laura Pitt, Bill Tobin, Brett Unruh, and Walt Unruh – represented Exton-based West Pharmaceuticals, one of the Invitational’s several sponsors.

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