15th Annual Golf Benefit

By Connie Lanaghan

Fifteen years of good weather luck continued as 132 golfers and more than 85 sponsors helped make the 15th Annual Camp Ondessonk Golf Benefit on September 18, 2010 a tremendous success.

Hosted by Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. and spearheaded by former Camp Ondessonk board member Pete Korte, the benefit raises money to help offset costs and keep camper fees as low as possible for families. While it is operated by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville, Camp Ondessonk does not receive funding from the diocese.

The benefit, held at Locust Hills Golf Course in Lebanon, has grown tremendously over the past fifteen years due to the generous support of businesses and individuals in St. Clair and Madison Counties, and the surrounding areas.

“It was a great day,” smiled Pete Korte during the awards ceremony. “We’d like to thank all the sponsors and the teams who help raise money so kids can go to Camp Ondessonk.”  Pete also recognized his “right hand woman,” Cheetah Horstmann, for all the hours she volunteered to organize the event.

In addition to money raised for the camp’s operating budget, more than $1600 was generated for Ondessonk’s Campership Fund through donations from the flight winners, contest fees and raffles. As in years past, every contest winner donated their winnings back to the Campership fund, which is used to help campers experience Ondessonk who otherwise might not be able to afford it.

With unmatched skill and accuracy, Joe Cassidy and Elizabeth Keserauskis won the “Closest to the Pin” contest, and muscling out the competition for the “Longest Drive” were Connor Keeley and Arlene Cassidy. Skins contest winners Don Brinker from St. Jacobs Winwater Works, Gary Edwards from Edwards Equipment, and the Operating Engineers Local 520 donated their winnings as well.

We gratefully acknowledge all of our benefit sponsors, including platinum tournament sponsors Kehrer Brothers Roofing and Construction of Albers, IL and  Prindable Insurance of Belleville, IL.

We also thank our Gold Sponsors ADS, Casper Stolle Quarry and Contracting Co., Cedar Creek Dental Associates, Concrete Supply of Illinois, Egyptian Building and Constructions Trades Council, HD Supply Waterworks, Illinois Laborers Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, N & W Horizontal Boring Co., Oberbeck Grain Co., Operating Engineers Local 520, Quad County Ready Mix, Red-E-Mix, Rehkemper & Son, St. Jacob Winwater Works, and The Kilian Corporation.