Birchleggings Club Third Annual Golf Tournament is a First-Class Success!

For the third year in a row the Birchleggings Club (BLC) held their “scramble” format golf tournament at CreeksBend Golf Course in New Prague, Minnesota.

The weather on July 23, 2026 was eagle perfect—83 degrees and sunny. The golf course was in beautiful green condition having benefitted from recent rain showers.

Beyond providing the opportunity for summer-season activity and comraderie for skiers and their friends, the event is a key fund raiser that enables the Birchleggings Club to provide charitable grants and support the American Birkebeiner and the Birkie Trail between Cable and Hayward, Wisconsin. During the past two grant cycles the BLC has awarded over $28,000 to seventeen regional non-profit community groups and organizations who promote youth skiing, healthy lifestyles, a healthy climate, and the Birkie. Grant proposals are reviewed in October and April. You can see a list of the grant awards and view the grant-application guidelines here.

Thank you to the golfers that attended in this year’s tournament and to the volunteers that made the event run smoothly. Your support is essential and greatly appreciated!  Your participation in the tournament will help the Birchleggings Club fund groups that apply for grants from the BLC.

76 golfers in nineteen teams competed in a variety of friendly contests. Here are the winners:

The winning golf team scored an impressive 14 under par over 18 holes. Team members were  Jason Stockwell, Noah Pruett, George Allendoph & Matt Fokerda.

There were four teams that tied for second place at 10 under par.  The team captains for these foursomes were: Jody O’Brien, Mathew Edwards, Tony VonBank, and Steve Thatcher.

Champion of the putting-green contest was Ben Nemo.

Woody Woodhaul proved to be best on the big swing, winning the most-accurate drive.

The longest-putt contest was won by Hayden Hughes.

Drew Holbrook was wedge master, winning the par-3 closest-to-the-pin event.

The 50/50-raffle winning ticket was held by Dave Britz.

A new contest this year was the Ball Toss. Participants purchased a numbered golf ball. All the balls were released at once toward a hole on the putting green. It was the ball purchased by Ben Nemo that came closest to the hole, and Ben took home the prize.

A highlight of the event was the silent auction. Participants bid on over 65 items donated for the event. Anyone could bid using an online auction platform for things ranging from skis & ski poles, to running shoes & exercise wear, to golf packages, and even an electric lawn mower!

It was another successful tournament. Thank you if you were a golfer, a volunteer, donated funds, were a hole sponsor, or contributed a silent auction or raffle item. Your contribution is so greatly appreciated! The tournament was able to raise a five-figure profit that will help the BLC continue our charitable outreach.

Special thanks go out to Bob Britz, who once again coordinated the event. Bob will be stepping back from his duties next year so we are in need of many folks to make sure we can continue our mission. How can you help in 2027?  We are looking for Birchleggings Club members, and others, who would like to help administrate and work at the tournament.  If you are interested, please contact golf@birchleggings.com.