Events

8th annual Mercy Golf Ball raises $32,000 for fetal monitors

After an early morning rain, the skies cleared and a beautiful day emerged for the 8th Annual Mercy Golf Ball. A total of 132 golfers participated in this year's event, the largest-ever turnout and raised $32,000 to purchase two new fetal monitors and related staff training for the hospital's Family Birth Center.

The Mercy Golf Ball was started in 2004 as the Foundation's premiere fund raising event. This year, golfers had the option of participating in a two-person team, 27-hole flighted tournament at McGuire's Resort, or a four-person team, 18-hole scramble tournament at the Cadillac Country Club. The change in scramble team format to a four person team proved very popular this year, and resulted in 19 teams playing at the Cadillac Country Club. For the serious golfers, turnout was also strong at the McGuire's 27 hole tournament, where 28 teams competed across seven flights, arranged by handicap.

Many Mercy Golf Ball participants return to the tournament year after year, due to its unique format and choice of venues. One such golfer is Amy Putman, who has golfed in both the McGuire's and Cadillac Country Club tournaments. With this year's new four-person team scramble format, Amy and three other friends decided to play 18 instead of their usual 27 holes of golf and reported a great time was had by all. "We had so much fun golfing the four-person scramble! The Mercy Golf Ball is always one of my favorite golf events and I was especially pleased to learn that this year's proceeds all went to purchase fetal monitors for the Family Birth Center," she remarked.

In addition to our faithful golfers, the Mercy Golf Ball relies on many amazing and generous sponsors. This year a total of 53 sponsors, including major sponsors Chemical Bank, Citizens Bank/Citizens Wealth Management, Don's Auto Clinic, and Highpoint Auto Center stepped up and supported the 8th annual Mercy Golf Ball. We are so thankful for all our golfers and sponsors and couldn't have realized such a record-breaking year without everyone's support!

The 8th Annual Mercy Golf Ball tournament and proximity prize winners were as follows:

McGuire's Resort 27-hole tournament
Flight 1-Chris Huckle & Scott Hunter
Flight 2-John & Rob MacLeod
Flight 3-Jeff Mankiewicz & Matt Putman
Flight 4-Gerry Herring & Rick Blackmer
Flight 5-Steve & Deb Anderson
Flight 6-Mike & Josh Zdrodwski
Flight 7-John Kessel & Ben Ludka

McGuire's Proximity Prizes
Men's longest putt-Rick Blackmer
Women's longest putt-Deb Anderson
Men's closest to pin-John Kessel
Women's closest to pin-Deb Anderson
Men's longest drive-Jeff Mankewicz
Women's longest drive-Jill Raymer

Culver's of Cadillac holds "Cruise to a Cure" car show to benefit Mercy

Classic car show fans gathered at Culver's of Cadillac on Thursday, August 11 to admire an array of beautifully restored vehicles. The first annual event was a great success, with over 100 participating cars and $2,000 raised to purchase breast cancer education materials for Mercy Hospital Cadillac.

The "Cruise to a Cure" was created by restaurant owner Brad Johnson. Brad acquired the Cadillac store in August 2010 and also owns the Culver's locations in Traverse City and Gaylord. Hoping to expand his success in giving back to non-profit health care agencies in all his markets, Brad contacted the Mercy Hospital Cadillac Foundation in May and pitched his idea.

"We were just thrilled when Brad contacted us about hosting a Culver's classic car show in Cadillac to benefit Mercy," said Precia Garland, Director of the Mercy Hospital Cadillac Foundation. "Our hospital is fortunate to have people like Brad in the community who are willing to jump in with their time and talents to make great things happen," she added.

"Why not enjoy what you love and raise funds for a cause that people really care about at the same time?" commented Brad Johnson in a recent conversation following the event. He added, "I'm excited to be a new business owner in Cadillac and pleased to expand breast cancer education here in partnership with my friends at Mercy Hospital."

If you have any unresolved concerns about patient care and safety at Mercy Hospital Cadillac, please contact our Patient Relations Office at (231) 876-7473.

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