Meet Packers, golf for a good cause in Wisconsin Rapids outing
Local business owners Stan and Nicole Sukow are helping to plan a celebrity golf outing, Swing Against Cancer, on Monday, June 30, at The Ridges Golf Course in Wisconsin Rapids. The format will be a 4-person scramble. The cost is $400 per foursome, which includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch, and dinner with a banquet ceremony. Raffles, silent and live auctions will also be part of the day.
The highlight of the day will be the opportunity to meet, and perhaps even play a little golf with, current and former members of the Green Bay Packers.
Participating Packers include Johnnie Gray, George Koonce, Jarrett Bush, and a fourth player, to be announced. Also participating will be Dale Ryman, Channel 7 Sports Director.
The Swing Against Cancer golf outing is designed to help people undergoing treatment for any type of cancer deal with expenses.
“Everything is local. The money raised does not go toward research. Instead we funnel the money directly to community members that are struggling with this disease,” Stan Sukow says.
The Swing Against Cancer Committee is working with the Riverview Health Care Foundation to identify people in the Wisconsin Rapids area who need help.
“Our goal is to present checks to six individuals the night of the banquet,” Sukow says. “One hundred percent is staying local. Any additional money will be given to the Riverview Health Care Foundation Patient Fund.”
“Anyone going through cancer treatment has a tough road ahead of them,” Nicole Sukow says.
Stan adds: “We want to do whatever we can do to help ease the burden a bit.”
Nicole points out that cancer is so prevalent.
“It could be your kid, or your grandkid, your niece or nephew,” she says. “If we can help somebody sleep a little better at night, it’s well worth the time we put into doing it.”
Community members who receive funds can use them to help pay for medication or even things like gas for getting to and from appointments. It is meant to be used in a way that will lighten the burden during a very difficult time.
The golf outing begins on June 30 with registration from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a 10 a.m. shotgun start, lunch at the turn, social and autograph sessions following golf, and the dinner and banquet ceremony beginning at about 5.
“We’ll also have some games on the holes, with opportunities to win prizes out there,” Nicole says.
Hole sponsorships are still available for $100. Hole sponsors will have their name and logo on a specific hole on the golf course, and should book at least one week in advance, if possible. Golfers are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible. However, if you are not able to golf you can still attend the dinner and banquet ceremony.
“The public is welcome to come for the banquet and be part of it for $40 per ticket,” Nicole Sukow says. Cocktails start at 3 p.m. and dinner will be served between 5-5:30 p.m.
“Lots of people in our town need help,” Nicole says. “We’ve partnered with a local foundation. We want to give help and hope to people during a very difficult time.”
In addition to the Sukows, committee members include Gale Baum, Tara Spaeth, Jason Spaeth, Gene Bouton, Amy Wemark, JB Baum, Todd Goska, Bill Babcock, Dave Pryor, Shannon Buss, and Marcia Meshak.
“We’re hoping for a good day and lots of golfers,” Stan Sukow says. “We will take golfers up to the day of the event, but if we’re full, we’re full.”
For more information or to sign up, call Stan Sukow at 715-572- 6751 or Nicole Sukow at 715-572-4629.