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Poland Rotary holds 29th annual Chili Open
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Gene Pavia of Hubbard lined up his first shot at the 29th annual Chili Open Golf Classic on Feb. 22 at Bedford Trails Golf Course.
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Gene Pavia followed through on a whiffed shot at the Chili Open Golf Classic.
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Neighbors | Tim Cleveland.Carmen Chicone of Poland watched the flight of his ball at the Chili Open Golf Classic.
By TIM CLEVELAND
As has been done for years, no matter the weather, the 29th annual Chili Open Golf Classic was held Feb. 22 at Bedford Trails Golf Course.
The event is put on by the Poland Rotary, and is played on a makeshift course, with holes ranging from 45 to 50 yards long. The added element of a snow- and ice-covered course made things more challenging for the golfers.
In addition to the golfing, there was also a putting contest, a contest to see who could hit a punching bag the hardest, prizes for the team winners, a band called The Rage, and, staying with the theme of the event, a chili eating contest with students from six high schools – Boardman, Poland, Struthers, Lowellville, Campbell and Canfield.
Over its first 28 years, the Chili Open has raised more than $1 million for 10 charities, including Sojourner House, Potential Development and Easter Seals.
While prior years has upwards of 300 participants, it was expected about 125 competed this year.
Both Poland Rotary member Mary Ann Martinko-Carano and event founder Nelson Gustafson talked about how the Chili Open got started.
“We started right off the turnpike and made a makeshift golf course,” Martinko-Caraano said. “Then we moved over to Western Reserve Run and we’ve been at Bedford Trails for the last seven or eight years.”
“A friend of mine took me over to Akron and they were doing it over there under the name of the Chili Open,” said Gustafson, 83. “I played in it the first year and liked it, so we went back the second year, and they actually played on Nesmith Lake. They drilled the holes right in the ice and you played on the ice. The had courses right on the edges of the lake in case it got warm.”
One participant this year was Gene Pavia of Hubbard. A member of the Hubbard Rotary, Pavia said he learned of the tournament from the organization’s district newsletter.
“This is nice, because this is what I think a rotary event is,” said Pavia, who golfs about once a week. “just trying to help the club get some money, get some people together and what else is there to do on Feb. 22? This is awesome. I like it; I like the camaraderie, plus there’s a chance to win prizes. I’m very competitive, so anything I can do against my son an win, that’s a bonus.”
With the conditions such as they were, Gustafson said scoring would be a difficult endeavor.
“The conditions are such that you don’t generally score low. You’re lucky if you get a par,” he said.