WELCOME

A huge factor in having a successful golf tournament is to have nice weather.  This years Liberty Mutual Invitational benefiting the Lithuanian World Center took place on Saturday, June 25^th, 2011.  The Tuesday, before the golf tournament, Illinois got hit by two tornadoes.  It seems like the weather is constantly changing this year. “God really came thru and blessed us with the most beautiful sunny day, we were off to a good start”, stated Daiva Rugienius, the tournament coordinator. 

We had 30 volunteers arrive early to help set up the tournament.  We hung American flags and Lithuanian flags on each of the golf carts.  Linas Cepele built a six-foot high chipping wall.  Golfers had to chip over the wall and see who was closest to a hole they couldn’t actually see. 

During registration, we ran our famous Mr. Koldunas contest.  To win this contest you had to hit a frozen Koldunas the farthest.  This years’ Mr. Koldunas is Vincas Staniskis.  Our beautiful volunteers wore pink shirts that said, “Kiss me I’m Lithuanian”.  The embroidery was donated by Lina Smilgiene from Lina Embroidery.  The ladies sold contest packages, raffle tickets and mulligans.  They raised a lot of money for the Lithuanian World Center at registration.

The complimentary bar, which opened at noon, was stocked with plenty of donated Svyturys and Kalnapilnis, Lithuanians favorite beer. Accurate Translation and Linas Kastys donated the water.  Each golf cart had a box lunch from Jimmy John’s donated by the Grazina Liautaud Charitable Trust.  She not only provided lunch for all the golfers, but the volunteers too.

The golfers started the tournament at 1:00pm.  On the course they were treated to several food stations.  Century 21 Pro’s and Ruta Susinskas donated the pizza.  Two Rivers made the Kugelis on hole #14.  The ladies from the Lithuanian World Center donated over 1,000 koldunai for one of our most popular food stations by the clubhouse. 

There were three open bars on the course that were sponsored by The Lithuanian Rotary Club of Chicagoland Lithuanians.  If all of this stressed you out too much, you could stop and get a free sports massage from Jurate Zubinas and her partner Edita. On hole number one was long drive pro, Cory Ferrell, who will hit your drive, if you make a donation to the Lithuanian World Center.  We can’t forget our Super Circle Shoot Out Hole.  Renata Stankus, Elyte Reklaityte and Linda Rugieniene would double your money, if you could hit your drive into a 20-foot circle around the pin on a par 3.  If you miss the circle, they keep the money and donate it to the cause.  The ladies raised over $600. 

When the golf was over, the golfers were greeted by an Irish Band called “Another Pint” sponsored by the Law Offices of Robert Blinstrubas.  As the golfers ate dinner, Vytas Ciuplinskas, was the very funny Master of Ceremonies. Vytas pulls out his Scotish accent to make us feel like we are in golf heaven.  He thanked our largest sponsors Julius Ringus, Grazina Liautaud and Dr. Vytas and Alexsandria Saulis.  Dr. Romas Povilaitis made them custom sponsor appreciation awards.

We had 15 contests on the course.  Once again, Rich Chiapetta, gained the most weight on the golf course.  This year, in the 5½ hour round of golf, Rich ate and drank enough to gain 11 pounds. Vacys Garbonkus got the best- dressed award.  He won a visor with fake blonde hair on top.  Surprisingly, it matched his real hair and he looked great.

The winners of the golf tournament, with a score of 58, are once again Algis Rugienius Jr., Howie Ludwig, John Radkovich, and Frank Batistich.  They win a trip to the Liberty Mutual National Championships in Pinehurst North Carolina in March of 2012.  They each received a $500 Nike Golf VR Tour Driver and a beautiful framed picture of Pinehurst courtesy of All American Classics.  The top seven teams were awarded beautiful prizes. 

Vincas Bernota, the President of the California Lithuanian Golf Club, flew in for the golf tournament.  He said he didn’t win any of the contests on the course, but if there was a “Having the most FUN on the golf course Award” he definately won first place. 

Most importantly, we have to thank our presenting sponsor, Liberty Mutual Insurance for providing us with $49,000 worth of gifts and prizes.  We can’t forget, the owners of Old Oak Country Club, Peter, Algis and Ale Lieponis, who did an outstanding job making sure all the activities planned for the golf tournament ran very smoothly.  Aciu, Aciu, Labai Aciu!!!!