The morning quiet was disturbed by the chop-chop of the helicopter swooping low over the trees at the Marietta Country Club last Monday. To recognize the 40
th Anniversary of the Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce annual golf outing, it was kicked off with the first-ever helicopter ball drop at the Marietta Country Club. Many thanks to Mark Mondo, who flew his helicopter in low and slow over the driving range. Mondo Polymer’s general manager Maggie Ellis stepped out on the specially-crafted launch pad and released 60
0 balls over the target.
It was amazing how closely the balls landed in the target area, but there was no doubt that the Ball Number 561 was closest to the center mark. A few minutes later Ila Alden found out that she was the winner of the $1,000 prize in the Ball Drop Contest. She purchased her ticket from Tony Baldwin of Baldwin’s Jewelry By Design.
More significantly, proceeds from the Ball Drop and the sale of pink tees at his Chamber outing raised $1,250 for the American Cancer Society. Cancer has impacted many in our community and this past year several people who are very involved in the work of the chamber have been treated at the Strecker Cancer Center. The Chamber board, staff and golf committee members all thought a donation to help fight cancer would be a great way to celebrate our 40th golf outing. A special presentation to the American Cancer Society will be made at the Chamber’s Professional Women’s Roundtable meeting in September.
One of the best places to do business is on the golf course. There’s not many better ways to meet so many of the valley’s leading business owners and leaders than on the beautiful rolling greens at the Marietta Country Club. With 31 teams in the tournament, it was a fierce scramble competition.
The Morrison Team, comprised of Ken Morrison, Casey Edwards, Tim Amrine, and Bob Voisinet, came in first with a score of 57, or 13 under par. Second place went to Theisen Brock’s team of Khadine RItter, Jim Huggins, Brad McMullen, and Matt Carlisle with 58. Coming in third place were Terry Rataiczak, Mike Sherwood, Lisa Strussion and Tom Strussion representing Kinetic Networking.
Other winners: Larry Lang won at the Hit the Barrel contest. Closest to the pin on the Par 3 holes were Chris Wharff, Bill Ross, Tim Northrup, and Casey Edwards. Team Morrison and Team Marietta Office Supply split the Skins prize.
Hole contest winners were: Steve Smith, Robert Donnelly, Mike Williams, K=Jamie Miller, Wally Kandel, Larry Devol, Eric, Lowell Walls, Damian Land, Greg Lanier, Jim McNerney, Dave Caldwell, Tim Miller and Harry Mativa.
Can you imagine a golf outing without food? After a long day in the hot sun, our players enjoyed a very special clam bake and hog roast. “One of the best meals ever,” was the comment we heard quite often. Thanks to the staff at the Marietta Country Club, especially Chef Andrew Vonville.
Without the help of the volunteers, this outing would not be so successful. Thanks to committee chair Donn Schafer and members Kathy Archer, Tom Betz, Mark Morris, Terry Rataiczak, Steve Porter and Randy Wilson. We are also blessed with a great group of volunteers who took a day from work to help keep the outing running smoothly. Thanks to Julie Berger, Lew Camp, Cindy Hall, Tonya Tullius, Rebecca Uhl and Kim Wells.
Coordinated for the past five years by our Events Manager Carrie Ankrom with able assistance from Erin Meeks, Candi Heiss and Lori Smith, the Chamber’s outing is a winner because of the dedicated volunteers , our great golfers and the financial assistance of our many sponsors. Thank you all for making this one very special! For photographs and more, check out
www.mariettachamber.com .
