What has come to be known as one of the best charity golf tournaments in Thunder Bay certainly lived up to its reputation in 2009.  The weather wasn't perfect but it really didn't matter.  A broad cross section of the community showed up to support the fund raising efforts of the Institute and nobody went home disappointed.  Whitewater Golf Course was in perfect shape as usual, and the challenges it posed for golfers and non golfers alike were true to form.  The challenge for the golfers in the crowd involved the undulating greens, the well placed bunkers and the unforgiving rough.  The challenge for the non golfers was how to enjoy all of the great food offered on the course by the Gran Sasso Club and the Valhalla Inn and still have an appetite for dinner.

Despite the challenges, all participants had a great experience.  Putting for salami or procuitto is certainly an incentive to do your best.  For the acedemics in the crowd there was the trivia contest where each hole posed a challenging question relating to Italian culture and heritage, and a prize was offered for the most correct answers.  Italian music could be heard wafting throughout the course, and the serious golfers needed to put this distraction out of their mind as they teed off or attempted their birdie putts.  A further distraction incuded a stop at the "Soup Kitchen", where a special brand of raisins were offered to all participants.

The day ended off with a fabulous meal prepared by Bob, Whitewater's head chef.  A combination of great food and wines imported specificially for Whitewater directly from Chile made it a memorable occasion, The event enjoyed a wonderful conclusion.  It should be noted that due to many generous sponnsors, the prize table was plentiful and everyone went home with something to comemorate the event.

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