Now Scheduling Primary Care Appointments Online. Book Now.
Golfers raise funds for compassionate cause during annual 'Holes for Hospice'
MARSHALL – Scores of golfers demonstrated that they understand the importance of compassionate end-of-life care when they turned out July 10 for the third annual “Holes for Hospice” fund-raiser.
More than 30 teams of golfers gathered at the Medalist Golf Club for the event. Funds raised will go directly to support Oaklawn Hospice’s comprehensive healthcare program.
“The people who have participated are phenomenal,” said Donna Young, who is program director for Oaklawn Hospice. “They assure our community that hospice service will be available to under-insured or those who are not insured at all.”
Paul Stone, Ron Clark, Dale Withrow and Billy Scott comprised the first-place team. The second-place team was made up of Terry Lake, Rick Niemi, Bob Howard and Kent Maurer. The second-flight first-place team was made of up Bill Andrews, Andy Frantz, Rich Peternel and Pat Stevens.
Superb weather guaranteed that the turnout for the day would be “fantastic,” Young said.
“Everybody has been having a really good time and it’s really been a great day,” she said as golfers wrapped up their game. “The staff at the Medalist always has done a fantastic job.”
Young praised the efforts of Lowell Weather, general manager at the Medalist.
“He does a wonderful job of organizing things and his staff are extremely friendly and helpful,” Young said.
Cash awards were offered for holes in one, but no one sunk one. That contest’s sponsors were BluFish Consulting, HBC Contracting, Knight Watch Inc. and Miller Canfield.
Better luck prevailed for golfers Ryan Konkle and Tom Gucma, each of whom whacked a ball against a seven-foot cutout of a “Caddyshack”-style gopher standing 150 yards from tee No. 4.
Jason Moore of Quincy scored a one-under-par 11 on the four-hole putting-green obstacle course, besting scores of more than 80 other contenders. Eight other participants in the contest, sponsored by the Battle Creek Bombers, hit the next-lowest score of 13.
The day included scores of donated raffle prizes, including gift certificates and collectible items.
“This was a friendly gathering of many teams of players, who all came together for a great cause,” said Mike Beck, Oaklawn’s Executive Director of Development.
“It’s hard to express just how grateful we are to all the folks who came out and helped this great cause,” Beck added. “They’ve shown just how much they care about the work of Oaklawn Hospice, and expressed how generous their support is for this community as a whole.”
Prizes and additional assistance were provided through the support of Auto-Lab of Marshall, FireKeepers Casino Hotel, Tribal Manufacturing, Kellogg Community College, Chemical Bank, Southern Michigan Bank & Trust, Seneca Medical, Vivex, The Medalist Golf Club, FUG Inc., Standard Printing & Office Supply, Dark Horse Brewing Co., Winston Park Shell, Dean’s Country Fresh and the Lake and Beck families.
Beck also singled out the contributions of fellow planning committee members Sara Andrews, Corey Bush, Jeff Fenwick, Terry Lake, Jim Pardoe, Ryan Traver, John Sherwood, Theresa Shippell and Lowell Weaver.
Oaklawn Hospice’s program works to meet the physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of persons with life-limiting conditions and their families.
Those seeking more details about donating to Oaklawn Hospice may contact Theresa Shippell at (269) 789-3942 or tshippell@oaklawnhospital.com.
