Sporting checkered golf pants, Greg Gresczyk attempted to make a putt in the putting contest at the North Shore Health Care Foundation fundraiser held on Sunday, September 27. The contest is held to make money for the North Shore Health Care Foundation. Gresczyk’s putt slid just by the hole on his attempt
Blue skies, a light breeze, 70 degrees—a perfect prescription for golf. Just what the doctor ordered on September 27, 2015 for the players who took part in the North Shore Health Care Foundation (NSHCF) Golf Scramble held on the beautiful grounds of glorious Superior National at Lutsen.
Short sleeves and shorts were the preferred clothing for those teeing off in the 20th NSHCF Golf Scramble. One well-prepared golfer, Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen, came dressed for a normal Cook County fall day, but as luck would have it, he had shorts and a T-shirt to change into when he found it was so warm.
“Boy, am I glad I brought these clothes along,” Eliasen said as he prepared to chip to the green on the eighth hole.
“This is perfect weather for golf,” said John Bottger, president of the Health Care Foundation Board.
Bottger was in short sleeves as he helped with the putting contest. Golfers purchased three golf balls and tried to sink a putt from 30 feet. Putts that went into the cup were eligible to win a prize from a drawing. Not too many people earned a chance at the drawing as putts— despite anxious facial and body contortions—continuously slipped left and right of the hole or died on the lip of the cup. Ouch!
Above: One of the 19 teams that played in the tournament, and playing the best ball, these three combined to shoot a birdie on this hole.
Still, a missed putt or two couldn’t dampen the mood of the contestants as they gave each other a good ribbing then merrily went their way around the golf course in their speedy golf carts, wheels squealing when the carts came to an abrupt stop.
“This is our primary source of funding for all of the grants that we give,” said NSHCF board member Barb Heidemann, who was busy helping inside the clubhouse.
Although the number of teams was down from 21 in 2014 to 19 this year, the event still brought in about $15,000, said NSHCF Treasurer Karl Hansen. “It wasn’t a record, but it sure is a fun way to make money for the Foundation,” Hansen added.
Above: Cook County Community YMCA Director Emily Marshall urged her putt on, but it died on the lip of the cup.
Since 1995 the NSHCF has given more than $630,000 in grants, which are primarily used to purchase medical equipment, pay for education and for training.
The Foundation, said Hansen, is an independent nonprofit organization that benefits health care in Cook County, supporting the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Cook County North Shore Hospital, Care Partners Palliative Care Program, Cook County Higher Education, local fire departments, First Responders and EMTs, all local schools and children’s oral health initiative.
Brooke Youngdahl is in her first year as the Golf Scramble coordinator, taking over for Dori Betts, who resigned last summer.
“I thought the tournament went pretty well,” Youngdahl said. “I started in July so I only really had two months to plan. Next year I hope to add some of my own touches. I don’t know what they will be yet, but I have a year to plan, so we’ll see.
“I was very grateful to Dori. Dori left amazing notes for me to use. They helped me so much.
Left: Finishing in second place was the Fenwick No. 2 team of (L-R) T.J. Tozzel, Linda Fenwick and Greg Adams. Not pictured is Chris Fenwick
“I also want to thank all of the volunteers and the golfers. My thanks also goes out to Lutsen Resort. They provided a wonderful buffet for us. They always do such a wonderful job. The only downside is that we had to go inside to eat. It was so nice out, it really was hard to leave that weather and go inside.”
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