"Freedom isn't free. People pay a price for it. So if we don't stand up for the people who pay that price, who will?" said Laurette Paulson, director of this year's Veteran's Invitational Golf Classic at Forest Hills in Detroit Lakes. Paulson said this thought was her motivation for starting a fundraiser to honor U.S. veterans.
Sixteen years ago Laurette was managing the American Legion in Detroit Lakes. Day in and day out she listened to the elderly veterans speaking of their experiences serving this country. She says her heart ached for these men and women.
At that time, she also had one son serving in Bosnia and another preparing to enter the service. Her sympathies for the veterans were deepened by her sons' involvement with the military.
That's when she says she decided to step up and find a way to give back to the people that give so much to American citizens. Thus, the Veteran's Invitation Golf Classic was born. This year, it took place on Friday, June 23.
The tournament consisted of four-man teams that used the "best ball scramble" method of team golfing. This has every person on the team teeing off from the same spot. Wherever the ball from the best drive lands is where every member takes their next shot from. From that point on they go from the closest ball each time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Cash prizes were awarded for the top three teams and for hole in ones. All of the prize winners donated their money back to the veterans.
The first place team included Craig Harrington, Bill Hanaes, Dan Matson, and Jeff Brunsberg. Each player paid $65 to play. The payment included, cart, green fees, an evening meal, one beer or bar drink, gifts, and prizes. There were also additional games that participants could pay five dollars to join in.
Last year marked the 15th year of the tournament. The committee heads, Alice Bellefeuille, Laurette Paulson, Merel Sagen, and Diane Hays, had a goal of raising $15,000, which they achieved for the first time in the history of the tournament. Their goal this year was to maintain around the same amount. In total, the tournament raised $11,000.
All of the proceeds are split evenly between the Fergus Falls Veterans Home and the Fargo VA Medical Center. In Fergus Falls they use the money for recreational purposes so that the veterans can get out of the home and have some fun. The Fargo VA uses the money for the personal needs of the patients.
Each year, the Fergus Falls Veterans Home actually brings retired veterans to the tournament. For years, veterans have sat alongside the par three holes to watch the game and socialize with golfers a number of them were hole spotters, but they were unable to do that this year due to cold and rainy weather.
The veterans visiting from the home include Rod Leaf, who served in the Army for three years and fought in Vietnam; Gary Wigdahl, who also served in the Army for three years during Vietnam, although he did not fight in the war. Jeff Glime did fight in Vietnam. He served in the Navy for five years. Deming Kruger "didn't fight in no damn war" but served two years in the Army. Their service was recognized, as many of the golfers in the tournament took the time to thank them.
Janet Schneeberger has worked at the Fergus Falls Veterans Home for 19 years and has volunteered at this tournament for 14 of those. "These guys look forward to the tournament and talking to the golfers," she said "Some of them were golfers themselves. A couple years we actually had a few veterans golf in the tournament.
Janet also said, "A lot of the same golfers come each year, so it really has become a bit of a tradition."
ADVERTISEMENT
The volunteers that came from the Fergus Falls Veterans Home include Veteran, Ray Schmidt, who served in the Air Force for 26 years and has been volunteering for 10; Faye Baylor, five years, Maureen Faney, 12 years, and nurse, Joyce Lee, six years.
These volunteers, the veterans they bring, the golfers and the people who organize this golf scramble are what make events like this memorable and worth being a part of. And unfortunately the committee that organizes the tournament is retiring many of its members. "We need new volunteers and sponsors if we want to keep this thing alive," said Paulson.To learn more about the tournament and how to get involved, email veteransinvgolfclassic@hotmail.com .
