15th Annual NSHC Foundation Golf Tournament a success

The winners of the mixed division on the course—Pete Gresczyk, Marshall (Dinky) Pedersen Carline Gresczyk and Dwight Holcombe.

Sunday, Oct. 3, was a day cut out of a New England calendar: With the golden hues of the sun stamped on the leaves and the warm air awakening a few sleepy mosquitoes and butterflies flitting about or basking on the remaining flowers both wild and tame, the Superior National Golf course was a cabaret of color and golfers.

Lots of golfers turned out on this beautiful day on a spectacularly scenic course for fun and a good cause. Twenty-one teams paid to participate in the 15th annual North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) Golf Tournament.

“I heard some years it snows during this event,” said former Viking great Stu Voigt, commenting that he was a tad warm.

Voigt, the celebrity golfer at the 15th annual NSHCF golf tournament was filling in for his friend, Paul Krause. Minnesota Viking great Paul Krause couldn’t make it to the NSHCF golf tournament last Sunday, but he could be forgiven.

“Unfortunately our longtime friend and supporter Football Hall of Famer Paul Krause will be in Afghanistan with the USO supporting our troops,” said event coordinator Sherri Moe.

Ian Johnson, Stu Voigt and Dick Lynch entertained golfers at the North Shore Health Care Foundation golf tournament. On Mountain hole 8, celebrity golfer Voigt would hit a tee shot for a team if they wanted him to. He would also sell “mulligans” so players could hit their drives again without a penalty.

Long-time Minnesota Viking fans remember Stu as an 11-year starter on a club that went to three Super Bowls. When he was finished playing, Voigt was the all-time Viking leading tight-end receiver, holding records in yardage, receptions and touchdowns. He was also a premier blocking tight end. In 1985 Voigt was named a member of the Vikings all-time team.

Today Voigt is a Vikings radio commentator and a friend and business partner of Krause. But on Sunday, Stu was happy to come off the bench and hit tee shots for teams and sell mulligan to those who wanted a second try from the tee. He also posed for a good deal of pictures and talked Viking football, ruminated about the Gophers football team and was tickled pink by the UMD Bulldogs and local high school Vikings’ success.

As far as golf, most teams were content to play for fun. However, there were a few teams taking aim at first place. The biggest winners, of course, are the organizations that will benefit from the donations that are awarded via grants to them by the NSHCF.

“I believe we raised more money then last year,” said Karl Hansen, president of the NSHCF.

Moe said the event totaled $14,800 and grants will be given to, “local health care providers for special projects.”

Eighteen holes of golf were interspersed with games like “beat-the-pro” and kept the 88 golfers busy.

Volunteers served meals, snacks and drinks from shelters on the course.

The day ended with the traditional 19th hole reception provided by Lutsen Resort. Winners and prizes were awarded at the dinner, and pictures taken and plans made by many golfers to return next year.

All proceeds will be given to the NSHCF. So far more than $30,000 has been raised for local health care facilitators by this event.

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