Sept. 9, 2024
ANOKA, MINN. — This year’s Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation’s (AHEF) "Putt-ing” Kids First annual golf tournament raised over $26,000 for the district’s students. This was the 65th annual tournament benefiting the students in the Anoka-Hennepin Schools.
146 golfers on 36 teams, and 51 sponsors came together on a gorgeous fall day at Green Haven Golf Course in Anoka on Saturday, Sept. 7 for the best-ball scramble tournament, according to AHEF director Tess DeGeest.
“Our golfers and sponsors come to have fun and show their support for our students, schools, and foundation,” she said. “With their generosity, we are able to put on a successful event that makes a huge difference. As I like to say, ‘it’s all for the kids.’”
The tournament’s unprecedented success is a direct result of the people involved, DeGeest said. Help from 25 volunteers like and Seno Okon, a student at Blaine High School and Laura Hendricks, assistant principal at Northdale Middle School, add to the success of the day.
“I have volunteered with AHEF for years now and didn’t want to miss out on another fun event,” said Hendricks. “Our golfers and sponsors are wonderfully generous. It’s so rewarding to see and thank them, knowing they are here to support our students and schools.”
The winning women’s team with a score of 74 was Team Sonja Chamberlain. Playing with Sonja was Connie Brock, Luarie Rykkeli, Sally West and Cheryl Kish.
The top overall team with a score of 56 was Team Tom Powers. Playing with Tom was Jordan Butler, Jim Dussl, and Cory Moore. The second place overall team was Team Cory McIntyre.
Former Superintendent Roger Giroux won the 65-inch, HD, flat screen television raffled off by First Student and dozens of other golfers won mulligan prizes ranging from Baldamar gift cards, barbeque grilling sets, rangefinders, a golf bag, and a Yeti flip cooler, to name just a few.
Skills Prize winners were:
Closest to the pin for women: Colleen Eggerichs
Closest to the pin for men: Jason Halvorson
Longest drive for women: Lisa Parkos
Longest drive for men: Mark Willrodt
Longest putt for women: Lisa Parkos
Longest putt for men: Mike Quigley
Save the date now for next year’s tournament scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
