BY: Allison Hack, National LICA Director of Communications
Many LICA State Chapters host Golf Outings annually to raise money for scholarships and I was lucky enough to attend New York LICA’s 8th Annual Golf Outing. To say I know very little about the game itself, is an understatement. I wanted to know about what goes into preparing and planning a Golf Outing.
The newly established, LICA Educational Foundation for Veterans, is planning to host a Golf Outing next spring. The Foundation is raising funds to create a heavy construction training program for veterans. I will be a part of organizing and preparing for this event, and need first-hand experience.
Aside from myself, National LICA CEO, Jerry Biuso and Assistant to the CEO, Caroline Krug also flew to New York for the Golf Outing. Caroline is the newest member of the National LICA team, and will also be heavily involved in the Foundation’s Golf Outing.
New York LICA hosted their outing at the Batavia Country Club on a beautiful September day. This was the second year at this golf course, and it was a perfect location.
The morning of the Golf Outing I was up early to help Maura Dibble, New York LICA Executive Director, get everything set-up. The amount of preparation and planning that goes into a one-day event is surprising; most attendees don’t think about it. NYLICA had spent a full year organizing this event.
We started out loading four vehicles full of: signs, gift bags, prizes, coolers and a host of other items. New York LICA President, David Rule and his wife Linda and New York LICA Vice President, Dennis Bliss and his wife Pam loaded their van and pick-up truck, respectively. While New York LICA members, Curt and Roxanne Baker, loaded their pick-up.
Once at the course, it was everyone’s job to start unloading and organizing. There were signs to be hung, prizes to be displayed and a registration table to complete. NYLICA had over 50 door prizes to raffle off, ranging from coolers, umbrellas, to jewelry and gift baskets. National LICA Vice President, Chris Wagner and his wife, Pat Wagner donated prizes as well as David and Linda Rule from New York. The grand prize, two Buffalo Bills tickets, were donated by Maura Dibble.
NYLICA volunteers helped golfers register and handed out a bag with various treats and giveaways. There was such enthusiasm in the air, not even a rain shower dampened the mood. Many golfers had been to previous outings, but there were a few new faces as well.
At noon all the golfers chose a cart, and off they went! National LICA Chairwoman, Nordis Estrem, National LICA President Bob Clark and his wife, Donna came to golf and Chris Wagner completed their foursome. As the carts drove off everyone was joking around and having a fantastic time.
I was able to visit most of the foursomes on the course, and even though there were definitely varying levels of skill, everyone was playing their best and enjoying the day. I had a crash course in golfing terms: par, bogie, birdie, etc. I am by no means an “expert” now, but with a little help from others, I know more than before.
The Lodge at the Batavia Country Club is a family-owned banquet facility and the owners could not have been more helpful. Everyone received a lunch ticket in their registration and had a choice of burger, hot dog or white hot. That was another thing I learned that day – a white hot is a pork hot dog. I had never heard that term and had to ask what it was, you never know what you will learn at a LICA event!
Throughout the day golf carts returned for lunch and then went back to their game. As they were finishing up, it was up to the volunteers to prepare for dinner and the various raffle winners. Tickets for the door prizes were pulled and noted on a white board. Caroline, Maura and myself sold more 50/50 Raffle tickets; all while setting up the Lodge for a steak dinner. It definitely “takes a village” to organize a golf outing.
The mood had not changed from earlier that day, as everyone chose their seats at dinner. Excited chatter and laughter about the days’ events filled the room. I could honestly say it looked more like a family reunion than a golf outing. But that’s the epitome of LICA: we are family.
As people enjoyed their steak dinner, Maura, announced the Golf Winners from that day. Everyone cheered as the winners were announced and prizes were given. The grand prize, 2 Buffalo Bills tickets went to Tim Spiotta. The 50/50 Raffle Winner was National LICA Vice President, Chris Wagner, who donated the winnings back for scholarships.
The NYLICA Golf Outing was eye-opening and I am looking forward to working the First Annual Fundraising Golf Outing next May. The outing on is taking place at the Cantigny Golf Course in Wheaton, Illinois, near the National LICA office. I am ready and excited to spend the day with the LICA family and raise money for an amazing cause.