Serra Club sponsors ninth year golf outing for clergymen on Jun 18

By Jamie McClure, Globe Intern
June 28, 2007

The Whispering Creek Golf Club in Sioux City was busy with 115 golfers who gathered for their annual golf outing on June 18. The golf outing has been held for nine years and the first couple of years it was at Two Rivers Golf Club. Then later, it was moved to Whispering Creek because, according to Jack Berg, who is apart of the Serra Club, they have a better facility for the dinner.

The lunch was set for 11 a.m. that day with a shotgun start at 12 p.m. The Serra Club, who sponsors, plans and sets up this event, fed about 150 people. Out of the golfers, there were 31 clergy and 84 laymen with a combination of both in every group.

"I have pretty much been organizing this event with the help of many people, but to name a few, Don Stevens, Tim Golden and Bill Treinen who have helped me a lot," said Berg. "I just happen to be the guy who sends the invitations and coordinates the event so that when everyone comes in, it turns out to be a great day."

The team winners for the day shot a 59 and their names include: Father Paul Kelly, John Keane, Bob Keane and Tom Yaneff. For winning, they received a $50 gift certificate to Minerva's. According to Berg, the group shot the best score ever at the golf outing.

"I've been to this outing about two or three times, and I think it's a great thing," said Father John Cain, a retired priest of the diocese. "This is a great day to be out and around and I'm just here to join the priests. I think this event is a great thing, and I'm always amazed at the love and support of the clergy."

According to Berg, out of the clergy and laymen that are invited to play golf and are in a reasonable distance of Whispering Creek, most of them do show up. Even if they don't play golf, they all appear to have a really good time. Out of everyone that signs up, there are a few people that can't attend because they have other important events that come up.

"This is the first time that I have been to this event, but already I have seen priests that I have known for years and haven't seen for years," said Larry Chapman a member of Sacred Heart in Sioux City. "If I can find someone to golf with, I would definitely come back next year. I might even come by myself just to see people that I don't see all throughout the year."

The money that the Serran's receive throughout the year from supporting/sponsoring businesses, are in support of the clergy; priests, deacons, religious, etc. They also support the laymen that attend the event. According to Berg, this is one of the only activities that the Serran's can put together to raise money for other activities throughout the year.

"We think it's important that our clergy get a demonstration of how much the laymen and other clergy appreciate what each and every one of them do for us," said Berg. "It's always important to affirm the priests we have now. Not just necessarily at the golf outing, but everyday. We need to appreciate the clergy all the time and show them that we support what they do for us."

According to Deacon Dick Billings, it was his first time at this event and his first time at the golf club. It was a great experience for him and he was glad to be there.

"We just want to have a good dinner and have a good day with our clergy and laymen," said Berg.