The annual MPI-CAC Golf Classic was held on May 21, 2018 and was back at the popular The Grove Country Club in Long Grove, IL. The event week started out with some unique opportunities for the committee as rain was in the forecast for most of the week. The planning committee made the decision to move full steam ahead, not wanting to showcase the record breaking silent auction and sponsorship this year. Unfortunately, the rain rolled in too.
The event committee, led by Michelle Castady, Ryan Campbell and Bill Feldgreber went into ‘rain plan mode’ before the event even happened. The rain plan included a late start, to shortening the day to bringing everything inside. Bill phoned a professional friend, Jeff Durocher at US Poker & Casino Parties, the night before and ask him to bring a few gaming tables in case the day was rained out. Sponsors were told that they may have to have a sponsor table in the re-envisioned exhibit hall instead of at a particular hole. Everyone was still on board and hopeful that the rain would pass, but even with the rain, members, guests and sponsors still came out for a good time.
The golf outing included no golf for the first time in the events history. A full on rain out! Once the announcement was made that there would be no golf, most of the attendees stayed around. Guests mingled in the clubhouse. The bar opened at 9am during the ‘breakfast hour’. Sponsor tables were set up for guests to interact. Blackjack tables were set up and a 3 round tournament took place with winners receiving a gift card to Texas de Brazil. Dinner was moved up to a luncheon. The Grove kindly offered everyone a free round of golf as a concession and a wonderful lunch buffet. The annual helicopter ball drop was improvised by pulling a ball out of a bucket and sponsor raffles were held to give everyone as high a profile as possible given the circumstances.
While it was abbreviated, the outing was considered a success and it would not have been possible without the event committee, the quick response from The Grove, US Poker and Casino Parties, the Sponsors and the agility of the guests. While no one will remember golf at the 2018 outing, they will remember the creative thinking of turning the Golf Classic into an indoor event.
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