Photos courtesy of Mike Turner A brisk, cool morning turned into a sunny and warm afternoon for the golfers at Superior National at Lutsen on Sunday, October 4. Twenty teams turned out for this year’s North Shore Health Care Foundation fundraiser. Above: Mixed Division winners also posed with celebrity golfer Paul Krause. (L-R) Bill Huron, Larry Christie, Krause, Lisa Malecha and Michael Malecha. Left: Winning in the Elite Division were (L-R) Gene Utecht, Tom Wentworth, Viking Football Hall of Fame star Paul Krause, Mike Jerabek, and Bob Jensen. Lower left: The Men’s Division winners were (L-R) Greg Adams, Joe Boyce, Bob Wenholz, and Rob Sandstrom, posing with Viking Hall of Famer Paul Krause, center.
A mix of traditions and changes greeted golfers at this year’s North Shore Health Care Foundation annual golf tournament on Sunday, October 5, at Superior National in Lutsen.
The bright red and yellow fall foliage that normally fills the background was subdued by last week’s windstorm, but sufficient color remained to make the day festive.
Golfers were delighted with and heartily enjoyed the return of the traditional, beautifully displayed sumptuous breakfast buffet.
Although numbers were down due to the economy, 20 teams enthusiastically headed for the fairways at the 10:00 a.m. shotgun start. A brisk cool morning turned into a sunny and warmer afternoon, helping to make the day enjoyable.
Eighteen holes of golf interspersed with other activities and games kept the 80 players busy. Viking Football Hall of Fame star Paul Krause (compliments of Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior and The Ljungkull family) returned once again to sell Mulligans to delighted players. Games such as longest men
and women’s drive, hole in one,
land on the green,
and a chance to win $10,000 sponsored by Lutsen Real Estate Group and MoonDance Coffee House, among others, livened the day.
Volunteers prepared, delivered and served lunches, snacks and beverages from on-course shelters in lieu of delivering food as done in the past. Theday ended with the traditional 19th Hole gala reception provided by Lutsen Resort where winners were announced and a wealth of donated prizes distributed. Viking football memorabilia autographed and generously donated by Paul Krause was also auctioned off.
Forty volunteers and 70 sponsors under the supervision of tournament co-directors Cindy Tiffany and Joan Crosby helped make the exciting event possible. Tentative totals indicate around $17,000 raised this year. All proceeds will be returned directly to the community in grants given by the North Shore Health Care Foundation.
The golf tournament began 13 years ago under the guidance of Sue Hansen and Patty Nelson (both still active in the event.) with the purpose of raising money for the NSHCF’s mission to provide grants for local health care.
Over the years, generous help from volunteers and donations given by local business sponsors as well as Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior, Lutsen Real Estate Group, Lutsen Resort and Superior National at Lutsen have guaranteed success for the annual golf tournament. The Health Care Foundation has been able to give grants of $300,000.
This year, as always, all golf tournament proceeds will be used for much-needed local health care and education, emergency equipment, and training. In the last few months we have given grants to nine different local agencies for requests including training first responders, senior center medical transportation, and a science lab workstation for the new higher ed building. After a special community appeal, the foundation just gave the clinic $8,000 for a new bladder scanner. With foundation funding, a hospice coordinator is working to improve end of life care in Cook County.
Since proceeds of the Golf Tournament are the main source of grant funds, donations in the form of time or money for the Golf Tournament are always greatly appreciated. If you are interested in joining next year’s festivities as a team or a helper or in donating funds, please contact the NSHCF office at (218) 387-9076.
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