The 29th annual Spoon River College Foundation Golf Outing was held on Friday, July 29 at Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Country Club. This year’s outing raised more than $23,000.
“In these uncertain times where times remain difficult for many, having the success we had with our outing is incredible,” said Colin Davis, Executive Director of the SRC Foundation. “With the high cost of gasoline, food, and other goods and services, times remain difficult for our students, too, and every dollar raised will help local students have the best educational experience possible at SRC.”
In all, over 60 businesses and organizations from the SRC District and beyond sponsored the outing, and 26 teams competed in the event.
“We tried to keep the pressure off our local businesses given all that they are enduring,” said Davis. “But that didn’t stop them. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of our sponsors, and especially our Ace Sponsors: Corporate Clean, Cook Medical/CFC Inc., the Odendahl Family, OSF Healthcare, Randy & Susie McMillen/RE/MAX, and Unland Insurance and Benefits.”
Golfers this year were treated to lunch, an SRC golf towel, and the opportunity to compete for the coveted championship. This year’s winner, with a score of 21-under, was Team Odendahl. The Very Most Average Team award, given to the team which finishes closest to the average score that day, went to Team Progressive Vision Center, who finished at 9-under and won a coin toss to determine the winner.
Golfers also had the opportunity to compete for skill prizes on every hole. While these are normally prizes donated by local businesses, the SRC Foundation chose this year to purchase Chamber Bucks from the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Each year, we ask our local businesses to step up for us, and the last few years, we’ve thought it was important for us to show our support for them,” said Davis. “Chamber Bucks ensure that local businesses will see direct benefit from our outing, and we were proud to support Wee-Ma-Tuk by hosting our outing at Fulton County’s only golf course.”
The SRC Foundation raises funds to support scholarships, programs and facilities at Spoon River College. Funds from the 2019 and 2020 outings helped to provide emergency hardship grants to SRC students who lost income or had unexpected expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, the funds helped to purchase laptops for students to temporarily use to complete their studies. Funds raised at this year’s outing will help the SRC Foundation meet similar needs during this academic year as needs arise.
“The support of our communities means everything to us and to our students in a normal year,” said Davis, “but in this time where our students’ need is greater than ever, the support of our sponsors and teams means even more.”
Next year’s event is tentatively scheduled on the event’s traditional date of the last Friday in July – July 28, 2023, with more special events planned to mark the event’s 30th anniversary. To learn more about the SRC Foundation, call (309) 649-6260, e-mail foundation@src.edu, or go to www.src.edu/foundation.
This year’s winner of the SRC Foundation golf outing was Team Odendahl, with a score of 21-under. Team members were Ben Gillen, Fred Odendahl, Martha Davis, and Mike Moore.
Winner of the Most Average Team was Progressive Vision Center. Team members were Paul Sepich, John Turgeon, Mel Turgeon, and Jeremy Kauzlarich.