Hinsdale Central Red Devils Baseball
Freshman Player/Parent Golf Scramble

April 13, 2003

by Mike Hubbarth

A perfect day for golf capped off a very successful golf outing fundraiser organized by a committee of dads for the Hinsdale Central Freshman Baseball Team on Sunday, April 13th at Seven Bridges Golf Club in Woodridge. Playing for prizes that were donated by player parents and local businesses, the group competed for the lowest score in a 2 player scramble format and for putting and longest drive prizes. “My compliments to all involved in putting the 1st annual together” said Al Kurash, father of Nick Kurash a player on the Freshman team. “If someone did not have a great time it’s their own fault. I also would like to state how fortunate we are to not only have a very talented group of baseball players but also a class act bunch of dads.” 35 golfers attended the event including Athletic Director Ken Schreiner and School Principal Dr. Jim Ferguson.

The team of Dan Diorio, and Andrew & Mike Hubbarth carded an even par score of 72 to win first place. There was a tie for 2nd place between Mark & Jim Noth and Andrew & Mark Nicholas who both shot 74.

Players Dan Chakos and Drew Halliday won prizes for closest to the pin. Players Andrew Hubbarth and Brett Paul won for hitting the longest drive and player Brett Morse won for hitting the straightest drive. Dads Tom Lusk, Keith Bailey, and Jim Noth also won prizes for closest to the pin and longest drives respectively.

“Golf is a great game to try one's patience and humility” said John Maxwell, one of the organizers of the event. “We must do this again next year. The feedback has been very positive.” Maxwell donated Cubs tickets and home-made bottles of wine for the clubhouse auction that followed the golf tournament. Serving as auctioneer was John Keiser who succeeded in raising $1,535 from the auction. Keiser donated Sox/Cubs tickets for the auction.

“It was my honor and Pat’s (player Pat Keiser) to come in with the highest score. Someone had to do it and Pat and I volunteered.” Also helping to organize the event was Mike Hubbarth and Geoff Halliday. “What a great event” said Halliday. “Thanks to Al and Nick for putting up with our errant shots. John Keiser, thanks for scoring worse than us. Mike & JMax thanks for putting this together. Drew and I had a blast...better than expected. A great first annual.”

Volunteer helpers on the day of the outing were Melissa Maxwell, Steve Soski, and Ginny Keiser. Bruce Bellusci, Ed Cogan, Anthony Fountas, Ralph Katz, Monte Lamb and Bob Pauga made donations and contributions to the event.

Plaques for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers were furnished by Dan Konz of You & Me, Inc. of Westmont. Batting lessons and gloves were donated by Mike Duckhorn, golf lessons were donated by Cory Ferrell the head pro at Seven Bridges Golf Club, and golf balls for the event were provided by EJL Custom Golf of Willowbrook, Ultimate Golf of Willowbrook and Golf Galaxy of Downers Grove.

Proceeds from the outing have funded the purchase of a Red Devils team parka for every player on the Freshman team and the manager. The parkas are being purchased from the Red Devils Baseball Club. Disbursements included 3 dozen soft toss baseballs, 6 hitting tees, 2 catchers’ mitts, a first basemen’s mitt and batting gloves. Funds were set aside for player and coach lunches at away doubleheaders, and a donation of approximately $1,500 to the Red Devils Baseball Club.