Golfers pack the not-as-chilly-as-Friday Chili Open today at Bedford Hills

COITSVILLE

Saturday’s snowstorm had laid down a good 5 to 6 inches of fresh powder by midday out at Bedford Trails Golf Course.

Light and fluffy, it wouldn’t be interfering too much with their swings.

Wet, heavy stuff would have been bad. Don’t even talk about rain and mud, and fortunately, they dodged the bitter cold temperatures of just a day earlier.

The six-some from Hubbard haven’t let the weather stop them. They’ve teed off at Poland Rotary Club’s chilly Chili Open for the past three years.

Michael Hagyari, Josh Carano, Dan Vogelsong, Michael Vargo Jr., Ryan Caesar and Chris Vargo do it for the fun.

“There’s no football on in the dead of winter,” said Michael Vargo.

“It’s better than sitting home watching TV,” said Caesar.

They also come out, they said, because it’s for a good cause. The Rotary Club will support 17 local community organizations through this year’s proceeds. About 400 people had signed up, paying $25 each to participate, and the turnout packed the clubhouse before the 10 a.m. start, said Rotary Club President Daral Brett.

By 1 p.m., the clubhouse and restaurant were still packed.

People ate chili, donated by Wendy’s, and sausage sandwiches, donated by Nemenz IGA.

There were also donuts, pizza, beer and soft drinks.

Right outside in a heated tent, the Chub Scouts, a local band that plays a lot at Smokin’ Gun Saloon on Market Street in North Lima, was warming up as loud as it could to draw people out.

Read and see more about the fun in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.