J&J Ventures Wins Friends of St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital Annual Golf Benefit

The J & J Ventures team of, left to right James Jansen, Jonathan Kabbes, Bob Huey, and Kit Koerner was the first place low gross winning team at the Friends of St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Fifth Annual Golf Benefit.

The Friends of St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital’s Fifth Annual Golf Benefit, held July 19 at the Effingham Country Club, was a big success.  The event, which evolved through a partnership with Jonathan Kabbes and “Golf for a Cure” held in 2009 and 2010, raised $50,000 (gross) to benefit the new Hospice Program at St. Anthony’s, launching this fall.

The weather conditions reflected a typical July day for the 126 golfers, 55 volunteers, and many other community members. The day included many exciting activities, entertainment and outstanding golf. Prior to a shotgun start at noon, Theresa Rutherford, St. Anthony’s new President and CEO, was introduced to the golfers. The golf event also included a variety of activities on the course, such as “Use the Pro’s Shot,” “Hit the Deck” provided by French Lick Resort, longest putt, longest drive, closest to the pin, and a putting contest.

Following 18 holes of golf, the golfers enjoyed dinner, entertainment by T.P. Mulrooney, “The Golf Comic,” (sponsored by Jacobson & Associates – Healthcare Consulting), and presentation of awards.

The first place low gross winning team was J & J Ventures Gaming, LLC team of James Jansen, Kit Koerner, Bob Huey, and Jonathan Kabbes. The first place low net winning team was Emergency Consultants, Inc. team of Dr. Chris Richter, Sam Harrison, Harry Prah, and Sharon Prah. Some of the other contest winners were:

Closest to the Pin (Men) – Rick Johnson

Closest to the Pin (Ladies) – Katy Saathoff

Longest Drive (Men) – Jonathan Kabbes

Longest Drive (Ladies) – Katy Saathoff

Longest Putt – Kyle Painter

Putting Contest – Ken Walk

Skins Game Team Winner – James Jansen, Kit Koerner, Bob Huey, and Jonathan Kabbes

French Lick Resort “Hit the Deck” Challenge – Kyle Painter

Raffle package drawing with various prizes that were won by the following people:

French Lick Resort Package #1 (donated by French Lick Resort) – Larry Zerrusen

French Lick Resort Package #2 (donated by French Lick Resort) – Don Althoff

Six Flags St. Louis Gift Basket (donated by Six Flags St. Louis) – Katie Mumm

St. Louis Cardinal Baseball Tickets (donated by Bray Title Services) – Michael Finley

Trace Adkins EPC Christmas Show Tickets (donated by Friends of St. Anthony’s and EPC) – Sandy Croft

Dell “Latitude 10” Tablet (donated by Dell) – Denise Hahn

Dick Hawickhorst, Friends of St. Anthony’s Chairperson, expressed his thanks on behalf of the Friends.

“We are so grateful for our sponsors, volunteers, and those individuals participating in many ways the day of the event. From an idea by Jonathan Kabbes, which has now grown into a community event, we are blessed to have the overwhelming community support to strengthen and grow our healing ministry to those we serve. The new Hospice Program at St. Anthony’s, which is recipient of the proceeds from this event, is another example of the impact we have upon our community and service area.”

In addition to the support of our Jack Nicklaus Sponsor, Jacobson & Associates – Healthcare Consulting, other lead sponsors were:

Sam Snead Sponsors

Abbott, Consolidated Communications, Emergency Consultants, Inc.,
Hawickhorst & Associates, Heartland Dental Care, J & J Ventures Gaming, LLC, Martin’s IGA, Walmart

Dinner Sponsors

Gregg and Matthew Kabbes, Nuxoll Food Center, Sodexo

Putting Green Sponsors

Bonutti Clinic, Crossroads Bank, Dr. John & Carol Gapsis, Dusty’s Outdoor Media, LLC, Effingham Truck Sales, Grunloh Construction Company, Linders Limited/McDonald’s, Milano & Grunloh Engineers, LLC, Stevens Industries

Sign Sponsors

Double D Signs, Inc., Pepsi MidAmerica

Hole-in-One Sponsor

Effingham New Car Dealers

Michael Wall, St. Anthony’s Executive Director of Fund Development, shared his gratitude to all those involved with the Golf Benefit.

“I would like to extend congratulations to all those involved with the Golf Benefit: whether you golfed, were an event sponsor, promoted the event, sold raffle tickets, recruited sponsorships, volunteered, or stayed at the hospital to serve our patients and colleagues, you were a valued part of this winning team. The funds raised today are just the beginning of the generosity of your time, talent and treasure. Our new Hospice Program at St. Anthony’s seeks to provide dignity, grace, peace, and faith to patients needing end-of-life assistance and comfort. Thank you for bringing peace and comfort to our patients’ lives.”

For more information about the Friends of St. Anthony’s, contact Michael Wall, Executive Director of Fund Development at (217) 347-1854 or email Michael.Wall@hshs.org, or visit the hospital’s web site at stanthonyshospital.org.