The results are in from the fourth annual “Explore the Evidence” Invitational Golf Classic, which was held under ideal conditions at Dahlgren Golf Club in Chaska, MN, on September 11, 2015. This yearly event is both a fundraiser and a time for fellowship with many of our golfing friends who are involved in the FaithSearch community.
Our tournament this year fell on the anniversary of the terror attacks of 9/11/01. FaithSearch invited firefighters and other first responders in our community to participate and compete as guests. This is a group of people of special interest to Joe Komarek, Executive Director of FaithSearch, and with whom he has invested personal ministry time. He also serves as firehouse chaplain for two Twin Cities engine companies. Our brave honorees were again recognized and treated to an afternoon of recreation as a very small way of saying, “Thank You.” Of the 74 golfers in the tournament, 7 were first responders.
The event raised over $6,000 through donations, hole sponsorships, prize raffle, and registrations, which supports the worldwide ministry of FaithSearch International. FaithSearch exists to proclaim the Gospel with evidence to all peoples everywhere.
Thanks to generous donations from numerous sponsors, there were prizes aplenty for all participants. The raffle generated quite a buzz, and featured some very nice items, including (among other things): a powered ice auger; autographed baseballs; ticket packages; and a portable barbecue grill.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event. We hope you will plan to join us; bring a friend or two to introduce them to our ministry; let your local firehouse or other first responders know about the event, and have them contact FaithSearch to see how they can be included. The gauntlet has been thrown down for next year: Will anyone be able to unseat the mighty Chaska Fire Department from their throne? Or is a three-peat inevitable?
Golf Winners
- Firefighter Champs – Team 9 – Chaska Fire Department – DJ Kraus, Mattew Stofferahn, Stephen Kraus, Travis Lindberg
- “Ryder Cup” 1st Winners – Team 1 – Joe Komarek, Dennis Doyle, Don Diedrich, Andrew Rice
- “Ryder Cup” 5th (Random Draw) – Team 2 – Doug Hunt, Sean Schellensmidt, Darren Jorgenson, Jeff Grossman
- Scramble 1st – Team 14 – Jim Schmit, JohnHatlestad, Peter Wolff, Larry Johnson
- Scramble 5th (Random Draw) – Team 13 – EdgarMadsen, Dale Westvig, Chris Wrecza, Judd Axelson
- Co-ED/Women’s 1st – Team 16 – Patrick Stolz, Trish Stolz, Bryan Everett, Jackie Everett
- Long Drive #4 Men – Andrew Rice
- Long Drive #4 SR Men – Steve Sheridan
- Long Drive #4 Ladies – Trish Stolz
- Nearest to Pin #6 Men – Stephen Kraus
- Nearest to Pin #12 Ladies – Jennifer Komarek
- Longest Putt #17 Men – N/A
- Longest Putt #7 Ladies – Jennifer Komarek
The following donations for hole sponsorships were made for this event:
- 1 Bronze Level Sponsorship @150.00
- 2 Silver Level Sponsorships @200.00 ea (2 golfers sponsored)
- 1 Gold Level Sponsorship @300.00 (2 golfers sponsored)
- 2 Platinum Level Sponsorships @500.00 ea (4 golfers sponsored)
- Additional donations were also received to sponsor 2 individual golfers
Big 7 Raffle Prize Winners
- Raffle 1 – Clam Corp Ice Fishing Package – Murray Herstein
- Raffle 2 – Twins Ticket Package – Karge Olsen
- Raffle 3 – Timberwolves Hoops Package – James Blosser
- Raffle 4 – Gopher Football/Wrestling Package – Trish Stolz
- Raffle 5 – Breezy Point Golf Package – Chris Wrecza
- Raffle 6 – STOK Grill Package – Karge Olsen
- Raffle 7 – Target Gift Card – Karge Olsen
Special thanks to our Hole Sponsors and Supporters:
- AirMark-Nelson Wood Shims
- Anonymous
- Breezy Point Resort
- Brett Rasmussen
- Clam Corp
- Deacon’s Lodge
- Digitalparc
- GenerationNOWdjs
- Golden Eagle travel Bonnie Lane
- Golden Valley CC
- Golf Galaxy
- JAL Architect
- JH Callahan
- JT Custom Signs
- Loffler
- Madsen O’Meara & Company, PC
- Miller Entertainment & Events
- Mortages Unlimited
- Mr Health Insurance
- North Central Companies
- Performance Solutions
- Rasputin Rasberries FFC
- RuckPack Combat Nutrition
- Planet Waves
- Shellback Financial LLC
- Smart Home Agents
- Sterling Trophy
- Talencio
- Twist-Ease, Inc.
- Wildamere