Golfers raise funds for Oaklawn Birth Center during ‘Birdies for Babies’

MARSHALL – A gathering of 140 golfers demonstrated the importance of compassionate health care when they turned out Aug. 11 for the “Birdies for Babies” fundraiser to benefit the Oaklawn Birth Center.

The Marshall Country Club at 151 Lyon Lake Road hosted 35 teams of golfers for the event.

Members of the team that won first-place honors were Dr. Tom Neidlinger, Clint Burgdorf, Brad Torrey and J.W. Beekman.

The Crandall Electric and Advanced Gynecology teams tied for second place. Members of the former team were Mason Crandall, Eric Leach, Adam Jaenicke and Chris Voeggler. Members of the latter were Mike Young, Alan Dechow, Pat Shannon and Tom Wdobiak.

The event successfully achieved its goal of raising more than $87,000 to support capital projects for the Birth Center.

Participants were greeted by Gregg Beeg, Oaklawn’s president and chief executive officer, as well as Cindy Lake, Oaklawn’s development manager.

“It was a great day to be out on the course,” Lake said. “It felt so good to see so many people turn out to support our Birth Center.”

The event’s highlights included volunteer participation by nearly 30 Oaklawn staff members and community members, Lake said.

Several games were conducted at various holes, including use of an extra-long driver, the longest drive, the longest made putt and the closest to the pin. Four holes featured a chance to win $10,000, sponsored by BluFish Consulting, DeNooyer Chevrolet, Coverys Insurance Services and Priority Health.  Southern Michigan Bank & Trust also sponsored a putting contest.

The Medalist Golf Course will host the next Oaklawn golfing fundraiser, scheduled for Aug. 9, 2024, Lake said.

“We’re grateful to all our sponsors and the Marshall Country Club for supporting this event, as well as all of those who donated very generously,” Lake said.

The event’s master sponsors were Bruce & Linda Rasher, Ford BlueOval Battery Park, Joe and Carolyn Palchak, Progressive Dynamics and Schroeder DeGraw PLLC.

Prizes and assistance were provided through the support of area businesses and individuals, including Berkeley Research Group, Keybank, Athena Health, Dixie Gostola and Gregg Beeg, Greater Michigan Spine & Neurosurgery, NextEra Energy, Red Squirrel Fund, Plante Moran, Hospital Network Ventures LLC, Advanced Gynecology Specialists, Albion Electric Inc., Allied Seal Coating, Nita Armstrong, Autocam Corp., Binder Park Zoo, Boshears Ford, Dan Buscher, Christman Company, William and Gloria Clayborn, Scott and Theresa Dawson, Jim and Sandi Dobbins, Dykema Gossett PLLC, Dr. Eric Ebner, Gordon Martin Builder Inc., HED Design, Hemmingsen Drug Store, Impact Solutions, J-J Cattle, Johnson Controls, Kellogg Community College, Kellogg Community Credit Union, Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services, Derek King, Jenna Lake, Terry and Cindy Lake, Law Office of Cindy L. Thomas, Marshall Community Credit Union, Marshall Country Club. Marshall Ophthalmology, Michigan Office Solutions – Xerox, Dr. Tom and Darlene Neidlinger, Oaklawn Housekeeping, Schuler’s Restaurant & Pub, Sprinkles & Sparkles, Mike and Marla Stuck, Sturgis Bank, The Medalist Golf Club, The Royal Hotel, JW and Susan Townsend, Ryan and Karolina Traver and Family, Kevin and Catherine Yates and Family, Copper Athletic Club, Family Fare, FireKeepers Casino & Hotel, Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, Grand River Brewery, Grandma’s Toys & Treats and King Jewelers.