Birkel Electric was proud to participate and support the St. Patrick’s Irish Open.
The release from St. Patrick’s Center:
St. Patrick’s Irish Open raises $773,000 to build permanent, positive change for the homeless and poor
St. Patrick Center announced today that the 26th Annual St. Patrick’s Irish Open raised $773,000 in revenue and contributed goods and services to benefit St. Patrick Center clients.
The dinner auction June 5 and golf tournament June 7 would not have been possible without the support of Lead Sponsor Major Brands and dozens of other corporate sponsors and individual donors. “The leadership and community support of the Irish Open is very humbling to witness year after year,” says St. Patrick Center CEO Dan Buck. “Even in these tough economic times, local companies and individuals continue to make incredible gifts to support the rising number of people who are struggling throughout St. Louis.” According to Buck, St. Patrick Center is serving a record number of people this year and the agency has created new programs to serve those who are newly unemployed.
Major Brands, Missouri’s largest wine and spirits distributor, was the Irish Open Lead Sponsor for the fourth year in a row.Honorary Chairman was Todd Epsten, CEO and owner; Event Chairman was Patrick Quinn, Chief Operating Officer. “We are honored to be able to witness such an outpouring of support from our community,” says Epsten. “For four years, we’ve watched so many new friends connect with the important mission of St. Patrick Center and it made leading such an awesome event a true privilege.”
The Irish Open originated from the “Swing & Swear” event, which took place at the Lake of the Ozarks in 1984. When it was decided that the “Swing & Swear” would permanently move to St. Louis and proceeds from the event would benefit the efforts of St. Patrick Center, it was later renamed the St. Patrick’s Irish Open.
At this year’s dinner auction on June 5 at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, the sold-out ballroom of 460 guests generated one of the most successful silent and live auctions in the events 26-year history. “Auctioneer” Dan Buck sold 29 incredible live auction items, including two Napa Valley Experiences that sold for $9,700 each. Two generous families bought these trips, knowing the money they spent will help end homelessness for ten St. Patrick Center clients/families.
The contributions and generosity continued on June 7 with the Irish Open golf tournament at Norwood Hills Country Club.Nearly 310 golfers hit the links to help end homelessness and compete on the beautiful Norwood Hills courses. Morning winners of the 1st place “A” flight were Mike Hopson, Dean Pilcher, Carson Baur, Don Davis and Dave Naret. Afternoon West Course winners of the 1st place “A” flight were Jeff Pea, Mark Reeds, Mike Zuke, Terry Yake, Peter Kim and Ben Bishop. Afternoon East Course winners of the 1st place “A” flight were Zach Pranger, Drew Pranger, Marty Pranger, Steve Benz and Stephen Benz.
After golf, participants took part in the St. Patrick’s Shootout, a chipping contest using the new Cleveland wedges that were distributed to each golfer as a gift. Meg Fisher took home the title for closest to the pin for the women, while Rob Leitner won the men’s shootout.
The Irish Open could not have operated without the many volunteers and sponsors who made the event an enormous success. “This is how a community responds to address a social wrong,” says Event Chair Patrick Quinn. Hundreds of people come together to help an innovative successful organization like St. Patrick Center with new resources to end homelessness for more and more people. If this event does not give you faith in all that’s good about St. Louis, I don’t know what else would.”
The 27th Annual St. Patrick’s Irish Open will be held June 4 (dinner auction) and June 6 (golf tournament), 2011.
St. Patrick Center salutes these businesses and individuals for their support of the 26th Annual St. Patrick’s Irish Open!
