A golfer at the 6th Annual Golf Classic finds an unexpected water hazard.   A golfer tees off at the recent 1st Annual Northern Golf Classic.

Wisconsin 4-H Foundation

"Tour" of 2008 Golf Classics

First Annual Northern 4-H Golf Classic a Success

Written By: Emmalee Anderson

Due to the continuing success of the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation’s Southern Golf Classic held annually in Dousman, this year brought about a new Northern golf event for 4-H. On June 23rd, the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation held its first annual Northern Golf Classic at Kilkarney Hills Golf Club in River Falls, as a fundraiser for Wisconsin 4-H programs.

The Northern event, sponsored by the Wisconsin Bureau Farm Federation, proved to be just as much of a hit raising over $10,000 for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation. These funds will benefit programs for the nearly 100,000 Wisconsin youth involved in 4-H activities. 4-H helps to instill leadership, citizenship, and communication skills by involving youth in a variety of projects and activities.

The day began with a grilled lunch and a shotgun start for the 94 golfers that eagerly participated. Along with a silent auction, there were many events taking place on the course throughout the day including prizes for the longest drive, longest putt and even a chance to win a car for a hole-in-one.

Major sponsors for the event were the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation as the Event Sponsor and Tom, Nick, Steve, and Mike Jenkins of Rural Mutual Insurance, Pierce County 4-H Adult Advisors, Moody’s Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac, and Wisconsin Farm Report as Clover Sponsors.

Hole sponsors for the Northern Golf Classic included Agribank, CHS Inc., WESTconsin Credit Union, MDMA Equipment-Ellsworth, Moody’s Chevrolet-Buick-Pontiac, Rosenholm-Wolfe Dairy LLP, Jon-De Farms, Emerald Dairy, Baldwin Dairy, Western Wisconsin Nutrition, State Bank of River Falls, Western Wisconsin Ag Supply, Ag Partners, AgStar Financial Services, and Peirce Pepin Cooperative Services.

Hole sponsors that contributed to both the Northern and Southern Golf Classics included Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, American Foods Group, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, Accelerated Genetics, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsin Retired 4-H Agents Association, Wisconsin Association of Extension 4-H Youth Development Professionals, Cooperative Resources International, and State 4-H Staff & Cooperative Extension District Directors.

The winning golf team included of Kevin Ritscher, Chuck Rowe, Adam Schruth, and Mitch Schruth. And close behind them in second place was the golf team including Dugan Davidson, Carl Dibucci, Cole Funk, and Brady Meyer.

The event was co-chaired by Jim Harsdorf and Dean Henderson, with committee members Sue Fisher, Frank Ginther, Marie Ritscher, and Robert Hanson all working hard to make the event a big success.

The night ended with a buffet dinner and dozens of door prizes awarded. The first annual northern golf event was an overall success due to the hard work and donations put towards benefiting Wisconsin’s 4-H youth.

4-H Golf Classic Undeterred by Weather

Written By: Yeoh Tze Ruey

The Southern Golf Classic recently held at Kettle Moraine Golf Club, Dousman marked its sixth annual success this year, despite the rain. Although the event was threatened by the weather conditions, it did not dampen the excitement and spirits of the participants.

Kenosha County 4-H Youth Development Agent, John deMontmollin was positive about the weather outcomes and found the golf event successful. “This is the premier event because while you are out on the course, not only can you do some golfing but it’s educational as well,” he said.

The 4-H Southern Golf Classic and Silent Auction will net nearly $12,000 for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, which funds state and local 4-H programs.  81 golfers took to the course and had a great time. Most importantly, money was successfully raised to further fund state and local 4-H programs.

Funds raised from the golf event will support future 4-H youth programs which will benefit 100,000 statewide youth. The Wisconsin 4-H Foundation helps the development of leadership skills, community awareness, and communication of youth through a variety of programs and activities.

The Wisconsin Farm Report, Kenosha Beef International, Ewald Automotive Group, and Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation were the major sponsors for the golf event.

Hole sponsors for the 4-H golf event were the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation Staff,  Wisconsin Retired 4-H Agents Association, WAE4-HYDP, Frontier FS Cooperative, Municipal Well & Pump, State 4-H Staff and Coop. Ext. District Dire, American Foods Group, UW Provision Co. Inc., Cooperative Resources International, Accelerated Genetics, Wisconsin Corn Growers Association, Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Geronimo Promotional Marketing, Inc., Southern District 4-H Agents, Schoenike Dairy Farm, Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association, Gallagher Tent & Awning in Madison, Wisconsin Soybean Association, and Grebe’s Bakery.

The winning golf team was the AnchorBank Team comprising of Bob Halbleib, Gregg Henning, Shane Meyer and Matt Ruppe. Coming in second place was the team from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation comprising of Bill Bruins, Roger Cliff, Peter Pelizza and Tom Thieding. 

Other sponsors that made this event possible with food and other items include: LeRoy Haeuser & Co. SC Rural Insurance, Culver Franchising System, Inc., Delafield Sentry, Kraft Foods, and We Energies.

With the Southern Golf Classic behind them, the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation is now looking forward to emulate their prior success with the first Annual Northern Golf Classic at Kilkarney Hills Golf Club in River Falls on June 23rd. The event will include golf, cart, grilled lunch, hole events, door prizes, and dinner.

Top