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“It's always great, always a great event,” Manning said at a press conference.
As in years past, Manning made a putting attempt while blindfolded, which provides some insight into how blind golfers play.
Guiding Eyes, which is based in Yorktown Heights and provides dogs to assist visually-impaired people, has paired the fundraiser with a golf tournament called the Corcoran Cup, which is held the day before.
Tom Panek, the organization's CEO. Panek, who lives in South Salem, likened the Corcoran Cup to "the Masters for blind golfers.”
The golfing fundraiser is a major event for Guiding Eyes; Panek noted that it typically brings in "well over" half a million dollars.
“It's our key event of the year."
Each dog costs roughly $50,000 to breed, raise, train and maintain throughout its life, Panek said.
For Manning, the appearance comes during a year that has already brought two major changes in his life: the retirement of his brother, Peyton, from professional football, and the departure of longtime Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin.
Peyton Manning finished his long career earlier this year after winning a Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos. Coughlin and Manning worked together for years at the Giants, which included two Super Bowl victories.
“He'll get to watch more of my games,” Manning noted about his brother.
“I might feel free to give him some real answers,” he added.
Sharing such advice, Manning explained, was something he wouldn't do in the past out of concern that the advice could be used against the Giants if the brothers' teams were to face off.
Speaking with reporters about the upcoming NFL season, Manning noted how he is always optimistic at this point, but gave the caveat that things happen differently as time goes on.
“You never know how things are going to shape out."
Manning also discussed with the small press scrum how there have been changes in the Giants' defense while the offensive line has not seen similar movement. Regarding the latter, Manning expressed support for having an offensive line without much change in players, noting the benefits of having the same people getting to work together.
Mount Kisco Country Club, which abuts a residential neighborhood, is located in the towns of Mount Kisco and New Castle.
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