Nothing pairs better with a hot summer day than a cool drink, a pristine golf course, and some great company. On Friday, July 14 the La Porte Economic Advancement Partnership (LEAP) held its 49th annual Play Day Golf Outing. People and businesses from all over the community gathered at Beechwood Golf Course for a day of bonding and fun and left feeling more connected than ever before.
“We look forward to this event every year. It’s a great opportunity to bring out all of our friends and businesses from the community to network and just enjoy a fun day out on the golf course. There’s a ton of great people out here and it’s a beautiful day,” said Bert Cook, executive director of LEAP.
LEAP’s Play Day Golf Outing is always a huge hit with the community, but this year’s outing was particularly popular; 50 teams, or close to 200 people, ended up participating in the day’s activities. Cook was touched to see so many people eager to get involved.
“All of these companies are our partners day in and day out, helping us to execute our mission. To have them all show up for us and participate in our event means so much to us. It’s a great testament to their partnership and what they’re willing to give to their community,” said Cook.
The day was packed with all kinds of things to enjoy. When people needed a break from the sun, they got to test their luck in a raffle and indulge in some delicious food provided by Kosta Krave and Smoke on the Water. A particular favorite was Smoke on the Water’s pulled pork sandwich coupled with some buttery smoked corn, charro beans, and smoked sausage.
There were also plenty of things to spice up the game on the golf course. Hole 15 featured a “Stick it to Win” challenge. Players could donate $5 to participate, and if they hit their ball inside the designated circle they were entered into a drawing to win $100. Players also got to enjoy a longest drive challenge, a closest to the pin challenge, and a hole-in-one challenge in which the first player to get a hole-in-one on hole 18 won a Sauer’s Pontiac GMC.
An especially exciting and meaningful hole was hole 9. At this hole, people could donate as much as they wanted to either the SHARE Foundation in the morning or the La Porte County Symphony Orchestra in the afternoon. Any donation allowed their team to tee off closer to the hole.
The day’s activities ultimately brought people together in a way that no meeting ever could.
“It of course gives everybody an opportunity to get together and network--many businesses make connections here that end up benefitting them professionally. That’s absolutely important. But, I also think it’s just a wonderful opportunity for everyone to develop relationships outside of the professional realm. So many friendships are forged throughout the course of the day and that’s a big part of growing the fabric of the community and building a strong foundation,” said Cook.
Of course, the day wouldn’t have been possible without Kyle Cashmer, head golf professional at Beechwood Golf Course and one of the masterminds behind the event’s success. LEAP has held its golf outing at Beechwood for many years and that support has helped the golf course’s team continue to grow and share their love of golf with the community.
“It’s a pleasure to hold this outing for LEAP and get a chance to showcase Beechwood to the people in our community that don’t normally play here all the time. It provides us with the opportunity to show all the services we offer and the conditions of our course. It’s rewarding and we appreciate that LEAP keeps coming back to support us,” said Cashmer.
LEAP is grateful for the important role the Beechwood team played in the event’s success.
“We’re incredibly thankful to Beechwood Golf Course along with Kyle and his team. They worked so hard to execute this for us and help us get everyone out on the course as efficiently as possible. I can’t stress enough how much we appreciate all that they do,” said Cook.
LEAP is also grateful to all of the golf outing’s many sponsors, business participants, and volunteers including Larson-Danielson Construction, Visit Michigan City La Porte, Northwest Health, NIPSCO, Horizon Bank, 1st Source Bank, American Renolit, Purdue Federal Credit Union, General Insurance Services, Centier Bank, and VNA of NWI.
“This is really a special day and it wouldn’t be possible without so many different businesses and volunteers,” said Cook.
To learn more about LEAP and how it continues to bring the community together, visit https://laportepartnership.com/.