The weather was perfect, the drinks were cold and the game was on at the 32nd annual Boys & Girls Club Golf Outing today in Valparaiso. The outing was held at Forest Park Golf Course, which has been around for over 90 years and is a favorite course among golfers in Northwest Indiana. Amidst hustle and bustle of the event was a beaming Cathie Dull, the Assistant Director of Resource Development for the Boys and Girls Club of Porter County.
“This is our 32nd golf outing,” she states. “It’s a fundraiser that raises money for programs, activities, and services for the kids. It’s a very fun afternoon and a great way to spread the word!”
Teams of four compete against each other for prizes and bragging rights. But the way the game is played at this outing is unique. First, each player tees off. After that, all four people on the team hit every time. Players must take his or her shots from where the best ball has landed. So whoever makes the best shot, the other three players must shoot from where that ball landed. Imagine the best shot being a hole-in-one! The winning team and runner up will receive a handsome trophy and a free golf game for four!
Planning for this year’s golf outing took about six months. Shawn Dickt, who has been a volunteer on the outing’s planning committee for two years, said that there was plenty to do.
“There was pricing, logistics, food, recruiting volunteers- it was a collective effort,” Dickt said.
Shawn’s wife McKenna was at his side as one of the recruited volunteers. “It’s been a blast! The weather is good, and I know lots of people here since I work for United Way.”
Chuck Leer, President of the Boys & Girls Club of Porter County and creator of this event agrees.
“People come out and support the Boys & Girls Club. It’s fun, and laid-back. This year we filled up quicker than any other year!” Leer said.
The spaces filling up quickly comes as no surprise.
“It’s casual,” Russ Adams, owner of Strongbow Inn, said. “There are no bells and whistles, and it’s for a good cause.”
Adams has been in attendance for the golf outing all 32 years.
Russ is on Team Strongbow along with Mike Egolf who has participated in the event for the past 15 years. When asked why he decided to attend the outing, “Russ called me!” But then he smiled and stated sincerely, “It’s for a good cause.”
The Presenting Sponsor for the outing was M.E. Simpson Co., Inc. Leadership Sponsors included: NIPSCO, Pet Supplies “Plus”, John Will Anderson Foundation, A & M Farm Center, Inc., Computer Services, Inc., M & S Collision Centers, and Thorgren Tool & Molding, Inc. Platinum Sponsors included: Allen Family, Verizon, Porter Regional Hospital, Max and Thelma Dickey, Arcelor Mittal, and Vale Park Animal Hospital, and Nielsen Subaru of Portage. Gold Sponsors included: BMO Harris Bank. Mentor Sponsors included: Paul Sur Buick GMC, Strongbow Inn, Douglas, Koeppen & Hurley, Duffy's Place, Golden Technologies, Blachy, Tabor, Bozik, and Hartman, and Arcelor Mittal.
The next event involving the Boys & Girls Club of Porter County is the annual United Way Day of Caring on August 24.