Event raised over $31,000 for TCHC Foundation

One of the more popular games during the golf classic was a hole in which a golf ball is sent to the green by a golf ball launcher. 

The Tri-County Health Care Foundation celebrated its 25th Annual Golf Classic on June 3. The scramble invites donors and area businesses for a day of fun at White Tail Run Golf Course in Wadena. While playing 18 holes, donors are encouraged to play various fundraising games on the course. Games included a golf ball launcher, putting contest, Nerf challenge, and Beat the Pro. 

The Tri-County Health Care Foundation is the fundraising wing of the health system and organizes several fundraising events throughout the year. Funds from this event support the Tri-County Health Care building project, slated for completion in Spring 2023. 

“The event was a huge success!  We set a new Golf Classic fundraising record, raising over $31,000 in net profit for the current building project. We had 33 teams and 164 golfers on the course, which is the most we have seen in the last five years at the event. Our goal was to raise $25,000 in our 25th year, and we smashed that goal,” said Foundation Executive Director Ryan Damlo. The event is the culmination of several months of planning. 

One of the main highlights of this year’s Golf Classic was the Beat the Pro Challenge Organized by Back Swing Golf. Back Swing Golf is an all-female pro golfing charity organization that routinely participates in fundraising events. Typically, they offer one of their pro golfers to play various games on the course. Participants pay a fee to face off against the pro, with a portion of the funds supporting Back Swing golfers and their professional endeavors.  

This year, the classic welcomed Tori Peers for the Beat the Pro Challenge on hole six. With a donation, this challenge allowed golfers to choose which club Peers would use for the drive. The closest one to the pin wins. These rules had many choosing her putter only to find out the young golfer was quite adept with the small club. Peers was able to raise almost $4,000 for the Foundation. 

The Wadena State Bank team, comprised of Kip Browne, Ryan Browne, Monica Browne, Malcolm Whynott, and Mike Stromberg, placed first at 27 under par. State Farm and the CentraCare teams tied for second at 26 under par, followed by the Cozy Theatre and Beiswenger Team in fourth at 25 under par. 

For more information or to donate to the Foundation, please visit www.TCHC.org/foundation.