A “Bear Feat”
Beautiful Ivanhoe Country Club, one of the top rated golf courses in Illinois, was the new venue for our eighth annual Swing and a Prayer Golf Outing. Once again, St. Joseph provided a picture perfect day for our golfers.
The day began with our golfers enjoying shopping in the Nike Mobile Pro Shop that was arranged by our special guest Chicago Bear, Robbie Gould. After enjoying a delicious buffet lunch, our golfers tried to Putt against a Sister. Returning for her third year Sr. Maria Guadalupe, and rookie Sr. Rose Veronica, were tough competitors. It often took 2 or 3 tries to beat their precise putts!
The noon shot gun start sent our golfers out to the Forest and Marsh courses. Back by popular demand was the Rubber Duck Longest Drive. Mother Marguerite shared hitting strategies as our golfers tried to hit the ‘quacker’ the furthest, for their big chance to win a Robbie Gould autographed football.
Mid afternoon, a busload of Residents arrived. From their seats on the beautiful patio overlooking the course, or in a golf cart driven by a Little Sister, they cheered on the golfers!
Working up an appetite from a day on the links, our hungry guests enjoyed a delicious three station international (Mexican, Italian and American) dinner buffet. Starting our program, Master of Ceremonies, Relevant Radio’s Fr. Francis ‘Rocky’ Hoffman, greeted our guests and introduced Mother Marguerite.
Mother welcomed everyone and shared the joy of the Residents that had spent the afternoon with the golfers. She spoke about what a great financial support this event is for St. Joseph’s Home and how we are trying to raise enough money to help our operating expenses and meet the need to replace all the mattresses and pillows for our Residents.
During the auction of Bears tickets, Robbie Gould decided to up the stakes. Taking over from the auctioneer, Robbie help us raised over $12,000 from the auction. He offered to take off his shoes, autograph them and give them to the winner. By the end of the auction, he generously gave away the Nike shoes he was wearing. In addition, excusing himself to run out to his car, he retrieved his kicking shoes, autographed them, and gave those away as well. We hope that Robbie’s ‘Bear Feats’ didn’t ruin his new white socks.
Congratulation to winners; Bash Ardoli, Bob Bates, Robbie Gould and Dennis Marchetti, who came in at -18. Many thanks and congratulations to all of our golfers and sponsors who helped make this Swing and a Prayer Golf Outing the best one yet. In addition to raising money for the operating expenses at St. Joseph’s Home, we raised enough money for 27 new mattresses! We look forward to sharing the comfort comments from our Residents.
Swing and a Prayer Golf Outing