Amped-up Chamber event sure to be a hit
By Barry Poe, Journal sports writer | Posted: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
If you're saving your money for one particular golf event, the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Classic may be your ticket.
The event, set for Monday, June 23, at both Green Valley and Whispering Creek, features a new and improved format that is sure to be a hit.
"In the past we played on one course with morning and afternoon tee times," said Mike Schmidt, co-chairing the event along with Roger Zanarini. "We switched to two courses in order to limit the number of players on each course and there will be an awards banquet after the golf."
In prior Chamber Classics, there were sponsors on the course. This year, the sponsors will be honored at a post-tournament banquet at Bev's On The River.
The list of prizes, by the way, is truly impressive.
Pflanz Electronics has donated a 50-inch flat screen television while Northwest Airlines will give away two round-trip tickets to anywhere in the United States and Greenberg's has donated $1,000 cash to spend at one of its stores. Moreover, four more sponsors have donated $500 each for four par-3 holes. In other words, the closest to the pin on those particular holes will win 500 bucks.
If that isn't enough, a hole in one on four more of the par-3s will be worth a new automobile. The prize for the longest putt on four additional holes is $250 cash.
"Instead of all of the sponsors spending money on the course and giving away ball markers and tees which everybody already has anyway, we decided to put it up a notch," said Schmidt. "We'll let the golfers get around in four-and-half hours, then go to a banquet afterward to get their prizes."
An event of this magnitude commands a lot of behind-the-scenes work and Chamber volunteers have put in countless hours on the phone while handling the marketing aspect. Schmidt will appear on Sioux City's KCAU Channel 9 at 5 o'clock tonight and a spot has been cut and aired on KMEG Channel 14.
Thus far, 22 of the 36 sponsor spots have been filled and 57 of the 72 team spots. Entry fee is $500 per team while sponsorships are available at different price levels.
If you're interested in entering, log on to siouxlandchamber.com for more information.
Ask Ayron Corporon how important it was for him to be personally fit for his new Titleist irons.
Scott Harmelink, head professional at Green Valley Golf Course, fitted Corporon for his new sticks and the result was a victory in the Tri-State Masters a couple of weeks ago.
"I feel club fitting is important for all golfers," said Harmelink. "Beginners need to get the right length, selection and grip, and if you go out and buy a set at the store, you don't know for sure if it's the right fit.
"More experienced players not only need the length, flex and grip size, but also the correct lie angle, which is the angle the ball sits on the ground when the player is in the normal address position. None of that can be determined without going through a fitting with a PGA professional."
Harmelink, by the way, set Corporon into a two-degree upright and half-inch over. If you need to know what that means, stop out and see Scott at Green Valley. He's sure to have the right fit for you.
Green Valley will host a demo day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the driving range. Representatives from Titleist, Cobra, Cleveland, Taylor Made, Ping and Callaway will be on hand. In addition, a representative of ECCO golf shoes will promote her product.
ECCO shoes, worn by several PGA professionals, are on sale at Green Valley. According to Harmelink, the shoe's craftmanship is outstanding.
"If you try a pair of those shoes on, I think you will like them so much that you'll buy a pair," said Harmelink.
Registrations are now being accepted for the Jeff Nassiff Greater Siouxland Open, a tournament for kids 12 and under, set for Saturday, June 7, at Floyd Golf Course.
There will be six flights of competition for boys and girls 10-12, 7-9 and 6 and younger. Entry fee is $15 (down $5 from a year ago), which includes a welcome kit, pendant and trophies for first through third place and a putting contest for each flight.
Sign-up forms are available at Floyd, Green Valley and Whispering Creek, or by logging on to www.greatersiouxlandopen.org. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. June 5.
The tournament was renamed to honor one of the founders of the event. Jeff Nassiff, 46, passed away last month following a lengthy battle with cancer. Nassiff was the tournament "marshall" on the front nine for boys and girls 10-12, reviewing the rules and launching each group.
"Jeff loved kids, he loved golf and he loved helping others," the Greater Siouxland Open committee said in a press release. "He was the embodiment of what the GSO is all about. And while he will be sorely missed, his spirit lives on through this event."
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
The event, set for Monday, June 23, at both Green Valley and Whispering Creek, features a new and improved format that is sure to be a hit.
"In the past we played on one course with morning and afternoon tee times," said Mike Schmidt, co-chairing the event along with Roger Zanarini. "We switched to two courses in order to limit the number of players on each course and there will be an awards banquet after the golf."
In prior Chamber Classics, there were sponsors on the course. This year, the sponsors will be honored at a post-tournament banquet at Bev's On The River.
The list of prizes, by the way, is truly impressive.
Pflanz Electronics has donated a 50-inch flat screen television while Northwest Airlines will give away two round-trip tickets to anywhere in the United States and Greenberg's has donated $1,000 cash to spend at one of its stores. Moreover, four more sponsors have donated $500 each for four par-3 holes. In other words, the closest to the pin on those particular holes will win 500 bucks.
If that isn't enough, a hole in one on four more of the par-3s will be worth a new automobile. The prize for the longest putt on four additional holes is $250 cash.
"Instead of all of the sponsors spending money on the course and giving away ball markers and tees which everybody already has anyway, we decided to put it up a notch," said Schmidt. "We'll let the golfers get around in four-and-half hours, then go to a banquet afterward to get their prizes."
An event of this magnitude commands a lot of behind-the-scenes work and Chamber volunteers have put in countless hours on the phone while handling the marketing aspect. Schmidt will appear on Sioux City's KCAU Channel 9 at 5 o'clock tonight and a spot has been cut and aired on KMEG Channel 14.
Thus far, 22 of the 36 sponsor spots have been filled and 57 of the 72 team spots. Entry fee is $500 per team while sponsorships are available at different price levels.
If you're interested in entering, log on to siouxlandchamber.com for more information.
Ask Ayron Corporon how important it was for him to be personally fit for his new Titleist irons.
Scott Harmelink, head professional at Green Valley Golf Course, fitted Corporon for his new sticks and the result was a victory in the Tri-State Masters a couple of weeks ago.
"I feel club fitting is important for all golfers," said Harmelink. "Beginners need to get the right length, selection and grip, and if you go out and buy a set at the store, you don't know for sure if it's the right fit.
"More experienced players not only need the length, flex and grip size, but also the correct lie angle, which is the angle the ball sits on the ground when the player is in the normal address position. None of that can be determined without going through a fitting with a PGA professional."
Harmelink, by the way, set Corporon into a two-degree upright and half-inch over. If you need to know what that means, stop out and see Scott at Green Valley. He's sure to have the right fit for you.
Green Valley will host a demo day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the driving range. Representatives from Titleist, Cobra, Cleveland, Taylor Made, Ping and Callaway will be on hand. In addition, a representative of ECCO golf shoes will promote her product.
ECCO shoes, worn by several PGA professionals, are on sale at Green Valley. According to Harmelink, the shoe's craftmanship is outstanding.
"If you try a pair of those shoes on, I think you will like them so much that you'll buy a pair," said Harmelink.
Registrations are now being accepted for the Jeff Nassiff Greater Siouxland Open, a tournament for kids 12 and under, set for Saturday, June 7, at Floyd Golf Course.
There will be six flights of competition for boys and girls 10-12, 7-9 and 6 and younger. Entry fee is $15 (down $5 from a year ago), which includes a welcome kit, pendant and trophies for first through third place and a putting contest for each flight.
Sign-up forms are available at Floyd, Green Valley and Whispering Creek, or by logging on to www.greatersiouxlandopen.org. The entry deadline is 5 p.m. June 5.
The tournament was renamed to honor one of the founders of the event. Jeff Nassiff, 46, passed away last month following a lengthy battle with cancer. Nassiff was the tournament "marshall" on the front nine for boys and girls 10-12, reviewing the rules and launching each group.
"Jeff loved kids, he loved golf and he loved helping others," the Greater Siouxland Open committee said in a press release. "He was the embodiment of what the GSO is all about. And while he will be sorely missed, his spirit lives on through this event."
Journal sports writer Barry Poe can be reached at (712) 293-4205, or e-mail barrypoe@siouxcityjournal.com.
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