Over a hundred of the area’s most passionate golfers flocked to Beechwood Golf Course on Thursday, July 25, to participate in the 39th annual La Porte Chamber Play Day Golf Outing hosted by the La Porte Chamber of Commerce. 33 teams of four golfers hit the tees in the hopes of winning any of the various contests throughout the course.
The outing, which took the form of a four person big cup scramble, was highly entertaining for everyone, golf enthusiast or not. Some of the challenges included hole-in-one contests, sponsored by Pine Ford Lincoln Mercury and Sauers Buick-Pontiac, longest drive contests sponsored by Schmitt & Kaylor CPAs, closest-to-pin contests, putinng contests sponsored by Lakeshore Promotions and Gifts, and “Hike It Up”, a highly amusing contest where men pay $5 to hit from the ladies’ tee and are required to wear a skirt.
Along with the various prizes that can be won in any of the contests, there was also a raffle. Ashley Hawkins, a worker of the hosting La Porte Chamber of Commerce said about the raffle, “We have different denominations of cash prizes, we have a very nice golf bag, a Blackhawks rug which is really cool, and the grand prize was donated by Kabelin’s and is a four piece furniture set, which is really pretty.” Not bad prizes for only one dollar raffle tickets.
The best part about the outing is that all proceeds go towards a great cause. All money earned will maintain and foster Chamber programs such as business retention and expansion efforts, governmental affairs, workshops, enhancing networking opportunitites, and many other great causes. The Chamber’s number one focus is improving the quality of life in La Porte, and the Play Day Golf Outing is providing them the funds to do so.
This year’s outing was certainly a success. Rita Mrozinski, another Chamber member, explained, “We have an additional ten teams over last year. We owe this year’s success to ambassadors that helped out tremendously in going out and advertising the event for us.”
No matter the success of the outing, it always proves to make for an entertaining afternoon. “The golf event is one of our Chamber members’ favorite events,” Hawkins stated. “They really love to come out and support us.”
Caroline Probasco, an employee of third year sponsor Purdue Federal Credit Union, shared her favorite part of the event, “Meeting all the people. Meeting all the people and cheering them on. I’m not much of a golfer myself, but I love their passion for the sport.” When everyone is having a good time and the proceeds are being used to better the community, how can you not love it?
Click here to view more photos from the outing!