Golfers take on Ol’ Man Winter in fundraiser

By Sean Barron

Last year’s open brought in about $25,000, which is this year’s goal, an organizer said.

COITSVILLE — Only a few hours had passed between the few inches of snowfall early Saturday and the time the Rev. Tim Klein, Dave Isenberg and Kellie Pelini found themselves teeing off on a very white green.

Golf? You heard right.

The three members of Solid Rock Ministries in New Castle, Pa., didn’t wait for spring — or even a clear course — before forming a team and dusting off their strokes.

“I told the pastor, ‘Anyone can golf when it’s 80 [degrees],’” said Isenberg, with laughter.

The three were among an estimated 100 golfers who participated in Saturday’s 24th annual Poland Rotary Chili Open Golf Classic at Bedford Trails Golf Course, 713 Bedford Road, just off U.S. Route 422.

The fundraiser featured football players from Poland, Cardinal Mooney and Struthers high schools and Lowellville K-12 School taking part in a chili-eating contest. Also participating were members of the football team at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa.

Solid Rock Ministries is a nondenominational church with about 100 members that offers counseling and tries to find housing for people with drug addictions, the Rev. Mr. Klein noted. Also available is a weekly support group for those with such challenges, he said.

“We provide where they need help and direct them in any path we can,” Mr. Klein said, adding that he, Isenberg and Pelini enjoy golf and also wanted to support the Rotary Club.

Even though he doesn’t consider himself an avid golfer, Hank Conrad of Poland is an 18-year regular at the event. Instead of spending part of Saturday on the course, Conrad, who’s also a Poland Rotary member, assumed the rather messy job of drilling holes in and attaching strings to colored balls, making them easier to see in the snow.

“It’s a privilege to have an organization like Rotary,” which has about 33,000 clubs in roughly 160 countries, he said.

Last year’s open raised about $25,000, which is this year’s goal, noted Mary Ann Martinko, a Rotary member and event chairwoman. This year’s funds will be divided among 16 local organizations and agencies, she said.

Winners of the chili-eating contest received $25 and a trophy, then took part in a punching-bag contest, she continued. A $100 prize went to the first-place finisher of that event, Martinko said, adding that $10,000 awaited anyone lucky enough to sink a hole-in-one.

An estimated 32 volunteers helped, in part by serving food. Nine of the 18 holes, all Par 3 and 4, were used, she pointed out.

The event may have allowed diehard golfers only simulated rounds, but it did provide a taste of what awaits them when the weather breaks, she added.

“Most participants are golfers itching to get out there again,” Martinko said, adding that the chili open has raised more than $1.1 million over 24 years for local charities and organizations.