Sometimes it’s possible to build—and strengthen—a community at the same time.
The 24th annual Marion Foundation Golf Classic will take place on Friday, September 25th, at Gardner Golf Course.
For Dave Messerli, chair of the golf committee for the Marion Foundation, this event is not only the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year—it’s a chance for a wide variety of people to come together in support of Marion students and schools.
And to have a good time doing it.
“It’ll be a fun day,” Messerli said. “People do a great job of coming and helping out.”
Few people know more about building community than Messerli. Now in his 53rd year as the Marion men’s golf coach, Messerli also taught for 43 years in the Marion Independent School District and coached varsity wrestling and football for many years.
“The number of kids I got to know…” he said. “Coaching has kept me young.”
He’s also supported the Foundation’s golf classic since the beginning, first as a volunteer and golfer, then as a member of the Foundation’s board of trustees, a position he’s held since 2019.
This year teams sold out a record 6 weeks before the event.
In addition to a friendly competition of 18 holes of golf, participants can take part in a number of fun events throughout the day, such as a hole-in-one contest, and a closest-to-the-hole contest at the FSB putting green.
“At hole number 4 we’ll have high school students hitting for the pro challenge. We’ll have some good players there,” Messerli said.
Golfers receive breakfast and lunch, and can also participate in a raffle for a number of great prizes, such as a package that includes two Iowa women’s basketball tickets and parking.
All the money raised from the event will be used to support Marion students and schools.
“Working with the Foundation, and the Golf Tournament, that’s kept me involved,” Messerli said.
“Anytime I can help kids from Marion, I like to do that.”
If you’d also like to help, there are still a few Golf Classic sponsorship opportunities available. (More information is here.) Donations are also accepted through our website and by mail: Marion Foundation, 777 S. 15th Street, Marion, IA, 52302.