The 55th annual Big Event was hosted on October 7th by Golf Course Superintendent Brian Hilfinger & Assistant Superintendents, Tracey Desmarais & Max Oleski along with Equipment Manager Ron Wheeling at Edgewood C.C. The fantastic golf weather we have been having this fall came in right on schedule as the morning clouds blew off to a bright sunny day. Brain and his crew delivered spectacular conditions and the service by the staff at Edgewood was phenomenal. This event is the last of the three fundraisers the MiGCSA has every year. The proceeds from these events help fund scholarships, donations, and philanthropic turf related interests like the Wee One Foundation, Turf Research and the MSU Turf Club.
A very special thank you to our Hole Sponsors: Spartan Distributors, AcuSpray, Target Specialty Products, Syngenta, Helena, Standard Golf, Precision Golf Irrigation, NexMow, GAM, Revels, Porous Pave, EZGO, Rhino Seed, Ladd’s, Harrell’s, Golf Cars Plus, Aspen Outdoors, Site One, RainMaker, BASF, ENVU, Heritage, Matt LaFontaine Automotive & Trimax/Timber Wolf.
Special thanks to our beverage sponsor: David Herman & Associates.
After golf Dr. Kevin Frank gave everyone an update on the MSU Turf Program which is again reporting healthy numbers as the search to replace Dr. Joe Vargas is under way. GAM Executive Director Chris Whitten spoke to the group as well about the great relationship the MiGCSA and our members have with the GAM. He expressed his deep appreciation to the MiGCSA Members who have hosted GAM events for their dedication and fantastic tournament conditions. The MiGCSA also recognized the founding chairman of the GAM Green Committee David Baughman with an award. Dave launched the GAM Superintendent Award of Merit in 2011 and it has become a great honor to win this award.
Also special thanks to our hosts General Manager Brian Bach, PGA, PGA Professionals Brent Kish, Andy Lindsay & Danny Zywick, Mike Roberts, Golf Services Manager, Executive Chef Jamil Barqawi, F&B Director, Anthony Gooden & Head Golf Professional Logan Boone for hosting us today!
Here are the results:
Closest to the pins were won by Rob Pylar, Scott Rettmann & Eric Schutman. Longest drive winners were Felicia Childs & Tony Spink. The longest putt was made by Steven Saari.
Winning Scramble Teams:
1st place – Doug
Johanningsmeier, Paul Kuhna, Adam LaFrance & Tim DeMenter (61)
2nd place – Ryan Moore, Matt Kovack, Jason Orchard & Travis Surducci (61)
3rd place – Brett
Roberts, Danny Graft, Brian Hilfinger, Jared Milner (61, scorecard playoff)
Skin winners were Evan Herman, Paul Albanese, David Baughman & Steve Forrest with an Eagle 3 on hole #3. Terry Welsh, Thomas Jones, Jim Omietanski & Keith Peterson with an Eagle 2 on hole #18. The home team of Tracey Desmarais, Mark Oleski, Max Oleski & Ron Wheeling won a skin with an Eagle 2 on hole #8!
All 2024 Big Event Fundraiser Photos
1st Place: Doug Johanningsmeier, Paul Kuhna, Adam LaFrance & Tim DeMenter (61)
2nd Place: Ryan Moore, Matt Kovack, Jason Orchard & Travis Surducci (61)
3rd Place: Brett Roberts, Danny Graft, Brian Hilfinger, Jared Milner (61, scorecard playoff)