Players at President’s Invitational Get a Glimpse of Golf Legend
Posted on July 15, 2009
Golfers may have signed on for the chance to play the famed Hazeltine National golf course, but the highlight of the 2009 President’s Invitational hosted by Northwestern Health Sciences University was a visit by golf legend Arnold Palmer.
There was an audible buzz of excitement as bystanders watched Palmer generously shake hands, pose for photos, and sign autographs for a dozen or so people, mostly Northwestern donors and sponsors.
Mark Zeigler, DC, president of Northwestern, gave a brief presentation, welcoming and thanking those in attendance for supporting the University. He thanked Tani Austin from Starkey Hearing Foundation for supporting the President’s Invitational, saying “They are a part of the wider Community of Caring. We have in common the shared goal of offering natural, non-invasive health care options.” Dr. Zeigler then presented Palmer with a special award in recognition for his support, on behalf of the University and Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Palmer graciously accepted the award saying, “It is a great pleasure and a great time to be here. I’m pleased to have this opportunity.” He ended on a humorous note. “About this golf course, let me say this: Be careful. Don’t hurt yourself. And if anyone breaks par, I want a notice,” he joked.
Palmer was in the Twin Cities for the Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala, and spent several hours at Northwestern’s golf event on July 13. The President’s Invitational is a fundraiser for Northwestern Health Sciences University, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Palmer was there to take some marketing photos for Starkey Hearing, conduct media interviews, and to take part in the meet and greet for Northwestern.
Local news media outlets Kare11, KSTP, and WCCO covered Palmer’s visit to the event.
More than 230 golfers teed-up in the President’s Invitational, playing in a best-ball scramble and taking part in a variety of hole contests. The overall winner, coming in six under par with a score of 66 was Kyle Berger. His team also took the Low Gross Score, with a score of 140, which was four under par. The group included Ryan Berger, Dermot Crowley, Craig Norby, and Bill Slattery.
The team winning Low Net Score at 23 under par with a score of 121 included Mike Andrus, Deepak Nath, Ken Stanecki, Dave Walla, and Ryan Yardley. Brent Eisenach and Krissy Pohl took Longest Drive honors; and Blake Hanson and Anita Cooper had the longest putts.
Dr. Zeigler gave the entire event high marks. “It was a wonderful day, with the added great honor of having Arnold Palmer here with us. We appreciate his support, and the support and partnership of the Starkey Hearing Foundation.”