Bringing people of all ages together to enjoy the beauty of nature in Valparaiso is a priority for Valpo Parks & Recreation, which is why it is proud to host the Valpo Parks Creekside Classic Golf Tournament every year. For the past 22 years, Valpo Parks has invited adults and children alike to a day of golfing at Creekside Golf Course and Training Center.
Kevin Nuppnau has been part of the Valpo Parks Department for five years in a couple of different roles and currently serves as director of the Valpo Parks Department and executive director of the Valpo Parks Foundation. However, his connection to the Creekside Classic extends beyond his history at Valpo Parks.
“I used to work at Creekside when I was in high school. I worked this event when I was 16 or 17 years old as an employee back when we used to grill hot dogs on the back patio, so I've seen it from several different perspectives,” Nuppnau said. “I’m excited today to be a little bit more involved and help out with the planning process. Now I've helped prep the facility as well as the outing and get to see it from this. The nice thing about this role is I get to engage with the people playing a little bit more.”
Creekside Classic raises money for the Valpo Parks Foundation which, in turn, supports Valpo Parks’ projects. Improving and beautifying Valparaiso through Creekside Classic may be a great benefit to the Valparaiso community on its own, butenabling kids to learn more about golf and connect to others makes it even more enjoyable.
“As a golfer myself, I can tell you that there's just a certain level of etiquette and difference that the sport of golf has versus other team sports,” said Valpo Parks Director of Special Events Cristina Darr. “I think it's nice that these kids are learning more than just how to golf; they're learning how to be good people and making some mentors along the way. You don't see a lot of that and outings since it's usually all adults.”
Nuppnau appreciates that Creekside Classic allows the youth of the community to play golf, learn life skills, and socialize with new friends.
“That foursome that's driving around for four hours really gets to know each other. They may be a little hesitant at the beginning because they don’t know each other, but by the end, they’re friends.” Nuppnau said.
This is Valpo Parks Development Director Lisa Kusbel’s sixth year working the Creekside Classic. She recalls that while the event had 14 hole sponsors seven years ago, the event sponsorship grew exponentially to sit at 43 hole sponsors this year.
She and her husband have both long been involved in the Valpo Parks Creekside Classic Golf Tournament, and her husband works to recruit sponsors. As the event is in its 22nd year, many local businesses and residents have taken notice and decided to sponsor this year.
“Having so many sponsors honestly shows the support that this community has for Valpo Parks and Valpo Parks Foundation in what we do,” Kusbel said. “It's these leaders within our own community that are the ones stepping out and making this happen. Without their support, we would never be able to host such an awesome event. We are truly thankful for that support.”
Valpo Parks would like to thank its hole sponsors and event sponsors for helping make this the best golf tournament yet:
Legacy Sponsor
John W. Anderson Foundation
Silver Sponsors
Currie Motors Ford of Valpo
Value Flooring
Grieger’s Motor Sales
Contributing Sponsors
AM Stabilizers
Rodenbarger Family Foundation
Jim Cunningham
Kusbel Family
Mitch Peters Attorney at Law
Valpo Velvet
Coastal Water Valley Company
To learn more about Valpo Parks & Recreation, visit https://valpoparks.org/.
