Bears Reunion Charity Golf Classic a "Super" Success

'85 Bears and Other Celebs Hit the Links to Help

'85 Super Bowl champs and other star performers tackle golf in
super-successful fund-raiser.

"First and 10" had a different meaning Tuesday June 12, 2001. It meant, "first hole, 10th shot!" to many former Chicago Bears. It was par for the course on this day, as the occasion was a golf charity event, not a game at Soldier Field! Many of the participants were more at home tearing up the turf than hitting a little white ball.

It was nonetheless a huge success born out of a brilliant idea: reunite the '85 Super Bowl Champion Bears, round up other well-known sports figures, and bring them all together to participate in a unique golf fund-raiser to support two very worthy causes.

Organized and brought to life by Mark Stein and Kick 10 Promotions, the event was held at the ever-so-green and lovely Big Run Golf Club in Lockport, Illinois. The objective of the day was to raise funds to support the work of The Otis Wilson Foundation, created to benefit Chicago inner city youth in the areas of education, health and fitness; and The Rory David Deutsch Foundation, whose mission is to help to eradicate pediatric brain tumors and other devastating childhood diseases.

The format was simple. Fivesomes were created consisting of four regular players matched with a celebrity captain. Funds were raised primarily through sponsorship opportunities ranging from sponsoring a foursome, hitting the ball closest to a pin, apparel sponsorships, as well as Presenting and Title sponsorships.

When the dust cleared and the divots settled, the results exemplified everyone's hard work and dedicated involvement.

The Day Was Unquestionably a "Super" Success...

• In the number of awesome Super Bowl shuffling Bears who were kind enough to participate: Otis Wilson, Jim McMahon, Richard Dent, Steve McMichael, Dan Hampton, Emery Moorhead, Dennis Gentry and William (the Fridge) Perry, to name a few of the 25 guys from the Super Bowl '85 team.

• In the other sports stars who lent their big names and sizable talents to make the day a success: Ernie Banks, "Mr. Cub", as did Ron Harper from the Bulls, Chris Chelios, current captain of the U.S. Olympics Men's Hockey Team, as well as Denis Savard and Steve Dubinsky from the Chicago Blackhawks.

• In total Bears tonnage: William "The Fridge" Perry tossing his sizable and lovable weight around.

• In donations of a delicious nature: food from Bar Louis, Nick & Tony's and the Blue Point Oyster Bar, and beverages generously provided by Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Kettle One.

• In super-funding: support from the very charitable VisionTek Foundation.

• In terms of color: Jim McMahon won the closest to the pin shootout; the Fridge brought his fishing pole and tried his luck in a pond, and there were more than a fair number of "fores" heard on the fairways.

• In terms of total funds generated: the successful raffle and silent auction contributions at the end of the day totaled a remarkable $200,000. to be put to excellent use by the two foundations to support their respective causes. Thanks to everyone involved!

• In terms of warmth, sunshine, high spirits, fun, old memories, the creation of new ones, and the power and joy of sharing: a worthwhile experience devoted to two charities that have the same ultimate goal: making a difference in the lives of children and those who love them.