For the 26th consecutive year, the Wabash Rotary Club hosted a benefit golf outing to kick-off Wabash County United Fund’s annual fundraising campaign. Fifteen teams of golfers participated in this year’s outing. Accepting the $8,000 check on behalf of the United Fund was Steve Johnson, Executive Director. Johnson stated, “United Fund is extremely grateful for these 26 years of Wabash Rotary Club support. The outing always signals the start of the new campaign season.
Rotary members Dave Dorais, Kelly Gretshmann, and Mark Frantz worked closely with Johnson, Toby Smith and volunteer Kimberly Lundmark during the planning and execution of the event. “When we reach out to Rotary Club members and others in the community, we always receive such fantastic support” shared Dave Dorais, committee chair for the outing. “The committee works together for this great cause because so many people receive benefit from the event.”
The golf outing took place at the Honeywell Golf Course with lunch donated by Miller’s Merry Manor. This year’s hole in one sponsors were Dorais Chevrolet, Buick, GMC Dealer, Brandt’s Harley Davidson and INGUARD.
Team winners for the outing included, in first place, Crossroads Bank (Roger Cromer, Dan Ford, Bill Hartley and Jack Thomas) with a score of 53. Two teams had the next best score of 59, including Dorais Chevrolet (Dave Dorais, Mayor Scott Long, Nick Hentgen and Mark Shanks) and Agro Chem (Brian Peas, Mark Peas, Erik Terrell and Nathan Culver).
Hole #1 Closest to the Hole on Second Shot winner was Jack Thomas, Hole #2 Longest Drive winner was Chris Reynolds, Hole #3 Closest to the Hole winner was Gary Larson, Hole #4 Closest to the Hole winner was Jim Ridenour, Hole #5 Closest to the Hole winner was Tim Kreider, Hole #6 Closest to the Hole winner was Bob Pilgrim, Hole #7 Closest to the Hole winner was Bill Hartley, Hole #8 Closest to the Hole winner was Chris Reynolds, Hole #9 Longest Putt Made was Dan Ford, Hole #10 Closest to the Hole winner was Bob Pilgrim, Hole #11 Closest to the Hole winner was Tyler Niccum, Hole #12 Closest to the Hole winner was Gary Bryant, Hole #13 Longest Drive (Ladies Only) was Lindsay Culver, Hole #14 Closest to the Hole winner was Stan Leland, Hole #15 Closest to the Hole winner was Steve Witkoske, Hole #16 Closest to the Hole winner was David Mann, Hole #17 Closest to the Hole winner was Gary Larson, and Hole #18 Longest Putt Made winner was Pat Mitchell. Winner of the putting contest was Roger Cromer.
United Fund supported agencies staffed information tables at each hole as a way to share with golfers some information about their programs. Agency programs that have been approved for funding for 2018 include 85 Hope, The Access Youth Center, ARC of Wabash County, Blessings in a Backpack (Wabash and North Manchester programs), Fellowship Food Pantry, Garber Simmons Senior Center, Hands of Hope, Living Well in Wabash County, Manchester Early Learning Center, Mental Health America of Wabash County, Wabash County Tobacco Free Coalition, Wabash FAME, WAMA Community Assistance Program, Wabash County Cancer and the community buildings in Roann, Somerset and Urbana.
Wabash County United Fund 2017 board of directors president, Eric Lundmark, expressed gratitude to the Wabash Rotary Club for the support of the annual campaign. Lundmark stated, “Thanks to the Rotary Club for 26 years of support and for kicking off this year’s campaign. The golf outing is a big “first step” in our work toward a successful campaign.”
In addition to Wabash Rotary, the United Fund board of directors would like to thank the following event sponsors: Honeywell Golf Course, Millers’ Health Systems, INGUARD, Dorais Chevy, Buick, GMC, Brandt’s Harley Davidson, Pettit Printing, B. Walter & Company, Wabash Plain Dealer, Tiede, Metz, and Downs, First Merchants Bank, David L. Mann, CLU CFP, Dr. Bradley A. Farlow, Edward Jones, Paperworks Industry, Inc., J.M. Reynolds Oil Co., Inc., Crossroads Bank, Midwest Eye Consultants, Ford Meter Box Company, Inc., Autumn Ridge Rehabilitation Centre, Halderman Farm Management, Parkview Wabash Hospital, Beacon Credit Union, First Farmers Bank, 105.9 The Bash, Arion Consultants, Inc., Estep Burkey Simmons, and Baker for Sheriff.
United Fund also thanks the following community businesses and organizations for donating prizes for the event: 85 Hope, ARC of Wabash County, AutoZone, Beacon Credit Union, Big R, Brett Wynn, City of Wabash, Crossroads Bank, Culligan Water Conditioning, CVS, Family Service Society, Farm Bureau Insurance, Fellowship Food Pantry, First Merchants Bank, Ford Meter Box Company, Inc., Friermood Tire & Alignment, Inc., Garber Simmons Senior Center, Grow Wabash County, Hands of Hope, Honeywell Center, Karen Newhouse, Kroger, Living Well in Wabash County, Lynn’s Restaurant, Manchester Early Learning Center, Manchester University, Mental Health America of Wabash County, Nordmann’s Nook, Parkview Wabash Hospital, Pettit’s Printing, Pizza Hut/Wing Street, Poole Foods, Roann Community Building, Stonehenge Golf Course, Subway, The Access Youth Center, Toby Smith and Friends, Tractor Supply Company, Wabash Area Ministerial Association (WAMA), Wabash County Cancer Society, Wabash County Solid Waste District, Wabash County Tobacco Free Coalition, Wabash FAME, Wabash True Value, Walmart, and Wellbrooke of Wabash.
“Thanks to all the golfers, sponsors, donors and volunteers who supported this year’s golf outing. We continue to work for greater impact in the community to help people in need” added Johnson.