OTT: Golfing for fun and fund-raising

6/14/2010
BY BARBARA HENDEL
SOCIETY EDITOR
  • OTT-Golfing-for-fun-and-fund-raising-3

    Attending the University of Toledo College of Medicine golf outing at Toledo Country Club, left to right: left, Joe Luzar, Sandra Seiple and Mike McCarthy; center, Sharon Gigandet and Josh Rupu; and right, Sharon Gillespie and Floyd Melby.
    • Golfers head to the first hole during the University of Toledo College of Medicine golf outing at Toledo Country Club.
    Golfers head to the first hole during the University of Toledo College of Medicine golf outing at Toledo Country Club.

    Golf season is here and Highland Meadows Golf Club hosted its annual membership appreciation event, “Party with the Stars,” to give it a gala kick-off.

    The Hollywood-themed event included a red carpet entrance with paparazzi flashing cameras, lots of giant stars and other glitter, and music by the Indigo Blue jazz group. Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres were served to the members including many that went for the glam look in gowns and tuxedos. The club president is David Rectenwald.

    At the Annual Kidney Klassic, left to right: top, Rachel Brooker and Melissa Gunner; and bottom, emcee Joe Rychnovsky and his wife, LPGA Golf Pro Janet Rychnovsky.
    At the Annual Kidney Klassic, left to right: top, Rachel Brooker and Melissa Gunner; and bottom, emcee Joe Rychnovsky and his wife, LPGA Golf Pro Janet Rychnovsky.

    The club members are enjoying their golf course now because it will soon be time to turn it over temporarily to the Owens Corning Jamie Farr Classic presented by Kroger, the biggest area charity golf event. The LPGA event is June 28 through July 4.

    In the meantime, there are plenty of other charitable golf opportunities. One is the Toledo District Golf Association's VIP golf program which supports the Evans Scholarship Foundation for caddies.

    There are 24 member clubs and 18 of the 24 are participating in this program. Only members of a member club may participate. Area clubs include Brandywine, Stone Oak, Belmont, Valleywood, Stone Ridge, Heather Downs Country Club, and others. Members of these clubs may purchase a VIP pass to play golf at participating clubs for only a cart fee.

    For details contact the TDGA Web site at TDGAgolf.org or call 419-866-4771.

    The first University of Toledo College of Medicine golf event “Linking Toledo with Tomorrow's Medical Leaders” was May 27 at Toledo Country Club. The day ended with dinner, a silent auction, and golf prizes. About $30,000 was raised for scholarships to medical students who have an interest in staying in northwest Ohio, said Howard Newman.

    The 18th Annual Kidney Klassic hosted by the Kidney Foundation of Northwest Ohio was May 20 at Stone Oak Country Club. Golf, hors d'oeuvres, awards, and a raffle were all part of the afternoon. The net of $30,000 helps nearly 4,000 men, women, and children who are affected by chronic kidney disease.

    Attending the University of Toledo College of Medicine golf outing at Toledo Country Club, left to right: left, Joe Luzar, Sandra Seiple and Mike McCarthy; center, Sharon Gigandet and Josh Rupu; and right, Sharon Gillespie and Floyd Melby.
    Attending the University of Toledo College of Medicine golf outing at Toledo Country Club, left to right: left, Joe Luzar, Sandra Seiple and Mike McCarthy; center, Sharon Gigandet and Josh Rupu; and right, Sharon Gillespie and Floyd Melby.

    Joe Rychnovsky of WUPW-TV, Channel 36, who is a kidney transplant recipient, was emcee. His wife, Janet Rychnovsky, an LPGA golf pro, was a volunteer for the day. She did the Drive with a Pro in which teams donated $20 to the cause in return for Janet hitting their drive for them. Rachel Brooker and Melissa Gunner volunteered at the beverage cart. Golfing around for the cause were Bob Gray, Kris Jensen, Keith Bennett, Mike Parker, John Emmerich, and many others.