The 35^th Annual Marklund Golf Classic came and went with a day full of newness:

–a new location: Cog Hill Country Club

–new timeline & format: a delicious brunch

–new challenges: Dubsdread championship course

–new surprises: a helicopter dropping golf balls

While the 253 participants happily accepted the changes, the most exciting new item did not have to do with location, food or golfing. No, the biggest news at this year’s event is reaching a new Golf Classic fundraising record–$202,000!

“Marklund was blessed by a perfect weather day, the beauty of Cog Hill and the generosity of our amazing donors,” said Jeannine Zupo, Marklund’s Director of Signature Events. “We remain so grateful for the Porter Pipe family and all they do to make this event a huge success for Marklund.”

Twenty celebrities, most of whom are former sports professionals, joined in the day, meeting with Marklund clients prior to heading out on the links with the other participants. “It’s always great to see the kids,” said Buzz Capra, former pitcher for the NY Mets and Atlanta Braves.

Live and silent auctions accompanied the dinner and included the exciting new “Golf Ball Drop.” Sponsored by Lake Brothers Beer Co., the contest featured a helicopter flying close to the event tent and its passengers tossing balls onto the nearby green. The owner of the ball closest to the hole, George Webster, won two airline tickets to anywhere in the country courtesy of United Airlines. Dinner guests watched this unique activity with great interest, many having cellphones out recording the action. “That was very cool. You don’t see that every day,” commented George Demarakis of ARCON.

Culminating the event was the presentation of the first annual Porter Cup Championship Cup to the Stumm Insurance foursome.

Special thanks goes out to all event sponsors including:

Althoff Industries, AMS Mechanical Systems, Aspen Lane Wine Company, Architectural Resources and Technologies, AT Mechanical, FCL Builders, Inc., Fox River Distilling Company, Gatorade, G&O Thermal Supply Company, John Hancock Retirement Plan Services, Lake Brothers Beer Co., Lochinvar, Merco Mechanical, Next Generation Logistics, Inc. Plante Moran, The PrivateBank, Porter Pipe, RAM Mechanical, Stockham, TC Wealth Partners/Trust Company, Thermo Systems, United Airlines, West Suburban Bank, Wheatland Tube, Zimmerman Ford.