AROUND TOWN

Marathon Classic volunteers have a ball

8/1/2013
BY BARBARA HENDEL
BLADE SOCIETY EDITOR
  • bh1-1

    Jim Zywocki, golfers transportation chairman? and Roger Rummel.

    Blade/Barbara Hendel

    • Jim Zywocki, golfers transportation chairman? and Roger Rummel.
    Jim Zywocki, golfers transportation chairman? and Roger Rummel.

    Hugs and hand shakes were the norm July 24 during the Volunteer Party for the Marathon Classic presented by Owens Corning and O-I that ended on July 21. Many of the more than 1,200 volunteers gathered at The Pinnacle to share stories and jokes about the previous week. The 200 Marathon volunteers were not present, but they had their own celebration.

    Steve Lerlie holds a quiet please sign while golfers tee off.
    Steve Lerlie holds a quiet please sign while golfers tee off.

    Tournament director Judd Silverman and tournament general chairman Richard Hylant were not present, but next year's general chairman Jim Hoffman, president of KeyBank, stopped by to greet everyone and say he is looking forward to next year's tournament. Sandy White, director of operations for The Marathon Classic office, was at the party.

    Bob Businger, a hole captain on number 9 hole since the classic started at Glengarry.
    Bob Businger, a hole captain on number 9 hole since the classic started at Glengarry.

    Scott Sanders, volunteer chairman, seemed to know everyone there as did Carol Gibbs, assistant chairman, who is next year's volunteer chairman. He received a framed Classic poster signed by the LPGA golfers. Next year's event chairman is Heidi Wininger.

    Gabbey, 7 and Gannon, 5 children of staffer Heather Warga, volunteered at the party buy handing out the raffle prizes. Gannon was a real ham and loved using the microphone. Gabbey was the youngest volunteer at the tournament as a runner.
    Gabbey, 7 and Gannon, 5 children of staffer Heather Warga, volunteered at the party buy handing out the raffle prizes. Gannon was a real ham and loved using the microphone. Gabbey was the youngest volunteer at the tournament as a runner.

    Mr. Sanders and Ms. Gibbs have volunteered for more than 20 years, saying volunteering is part of life. That's true for most of the volunteers there, many who take vacation to work the week of the tournament. All of them pay for the privilege, but what a steal of a deal. The $55 fee includes a logo golf shirt and cap or $10 for a logo t-shirt, plus food, access to the tournament all week, the volunteer party, a chance to hobnob with the golfers, and gain new friendships.

    Scott Sanders, this year's volunteer chairman, who will still volunteer next year--he said he has met so many wonderful friends at the classic. Carol Gibbs, assistant volunteer chairman, who will be next years volunteer chairman.
    Scott Sanders, this year's volunteer chairman, who will still volunteer next year--he said he has met so many wonderful friends at the classic. Carol Gibbs, assistant volunteer chairman, who will be next years volunteer chairman.

    Buz Businger has been a hole captain on number 9 hole since the tournament's inception. Jerry Baum has volunteered all 28 years too.

    Roy Rozell has been a marshal all 28 years. He joked that he got a raise -- he had a golf cart and a radio this year. He recalled when the first tournaments were at Glengarry Country Club, now Stone Oak Country Club, and volunteers held hands to make a line to protect golfers while they were playing their shots.

    Behind-the-scenes volunteers included transportation chairmen Dan Balduf, Bobbie Kehlmeier, and Joe Detrich, and media chairmen Pat Fitzgerald, Pat Koehler, Stan Odesky, and Gene Hernes.

    Rob and Linda Wininger, who have volunteered all 28 years, won two bottles of wine in the raffle. There were Cedar Point tickets, dinner tickets, The Marathon Classic souvenirs and more. Two 50/50 cash raffles were won by Chris Wicks and Lauren Yeagle.

    Having fun handing out the raffle prizes were Gabbey Warga, 7, and her brother Gannon, 5, the children of staffer Heather Warga. Gabbey was this year's youngest volunteer.