Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation Golf Outing a Success

Pictured from left to right, golf tournament winners and Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation volunteers, Jake Bushue, Troy Greene, Dr. Brian Balda, Todd Thoele, Stephanie Gobczynski Uebinger, Matt Brown and Greg Uebinger.

he Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation second annual Golf Outing, held on Friday, September 23 at the Effingham Country Club, was a great success for the 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The event raises funds to benefit high school student-athletes and local schools, specifically Effingham, Effingham St. Anthony, and Teutopolis. The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation supports annual scholarships and Sportsbacker and Booster Club donations, as well as provides free heart testing for sophomore, junior, and senior student-athletes through Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Rotary Heart Testing Program.

The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation was established in memory of Andrew Gobczynski, a Teutopolis native, who passed away suddenly in 2014 at age 33 from cardiac myopathy. He played basketball for the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes and Eastern Illinois Panthers. The focus of the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, Incorporated is one that values, above anything else, supporting our local community. The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, Incorporated is organized and operated on a non-profit basis. It is organized primarily to promote social welfare, and it operates primarily to further the common good and general welfare of the people of the Effingham community.

The second annual Golf Outing, held at the Effingham Country Club, included 138 golfers, 92 sponsors/donors, and 20 volunteers. The event included many exciting activities and an outstanding day of golf.

Jaclyn Jansen, Effingham native and LPGA Rookie, was on hand to help golfers shoot from Hole 18.

Following 18 holes of golf, the golfers enjoyed dinner, presentation of awards, and live and silent auction bidding.

The first place low gross winning team was Brian Balda, Matt Brown, Troy Greene, and Jake Bushue.

The second place team was Steve Boswell, Chris Etter, Manny Wei, and Michael Koester.

The third place team was Jeff Lauritzen, Logan Murphy, Larry Adams, and Zeb Jolliff.

Some of the other contest winners were:

Longest Drive – Alan Koester

Closest to the Pin – Chuck Schumacher

Silent Auction Winners

Workman Sports Complex 4 Month Membership, Cindy Mitchell

St. Louis Soccer Club, 4 Tickets, Dave Ruff,

$100 TGI Fridays Gift Certificates and $100 Pro Lube Coupons, Jake Pals

Ja-Fa Fall Photo Session, Mandy Bierman,

Schafly Brewery Tour and Tasting for 10 people, Leslie Probst

Small and Large Bounce House Rental, Party Worx,    Jessica Bierman

Stang Arts Artwork, Large Canvas, Alli Schumacher

Stang Arts Artwork, Small Canvas, Nikki Trupiano

Stang Arts Artwork, Small Canvas, Wendy Hawickhorst

Jansen’s Auto Sales Car Details, Alli Schumacher

Sherwin Williams Paint Bucket, Judy Bloemer

Meadowview Golf Course 2 18 Hole Green Fees, Crystal Tipton

Wood Crate Wine Tray from Todd Thoele and Wines and Craft Beer, Kendra Dye

Jordan Niebrugge Signed Flag, Wendy Hawickhorst

Charlie Danielson Signed Hat, Greg Uebinger

Kenters Tavern $50 Gift Certificates and Cubs Chair from Baseball Card Connection, Jason Brent

St. Louis Cardinals 2 Reserved Seats,    Crystal Tipton

Live Auction Items

Dinner Party at Austin Mansion and Keller Convention Center Catering, Blake Linders

Jorge Posada Hat and Chad Greene Baseball from Yankees    Charlie White

Vladimir Taransenko Hockey Puck from St. Louis Blues, Austin Hogue

Stang Arts Paint Party, Ronnie Niebrugge

Waymos Photo Package, Pam Balda

Firefly Grill Tasting for 4, Mike Ziegler

Coors Cooler and Leinenkugels Umbrella, Blake Linders

Ted Simmons Signed Baseball, Jai Soni

Bud Light Sign and Golf Bag, Ronnie Niebrugge

The Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation extends a special thank you to Tim Krouse, Nick Schuette, and the team at the Effingham Country Club for hosting the event.

Stephanie Gobczynski Uebinger, chairperson of the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation, shared her gratitude for everyone who helped make the day a success.

“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all those involved with the Golf Outing. Everyone was integral to the day’s success, whether you golfed with a team, sponsored a hole or raffle item, volunteered to help, or ate dinner and supported our non-profit organization. It was a beautiful day to play golf and share memories of Andrew. Because of this event, we will be able to help so many student-athletes and schools! The Effingham community has been so supportive of our foundation, and everyone at the Andrew Gobczynski Big Heart Foundation truly appreciates that support. This is a community event that combines a fun day of golf and friendship with providing awareness to our community about the number one cause of death in student athletes, sudden cardiac death, or cardiac myopathy.”