In a steady light rain Sunday morning, May 24, Idlewild Country Club members held the club’s annual Memorial Day flag raising ceremony followed by rounds of golf to raise money for Tunnels to Towers, a non-profit organization that provides housing to homeless veterans.
Pat McCool, right, delivers the American Flag escorted by a bagpiper during the Idlewild Country Club Memorial Day flag raising ceremony. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
The weather delayed the golf game by an hour or so, and the rounds were shortened from 18 holes to nine, but organizer Dick Walsh said he thought the event nevertheless would raise more than $4,000 for the veterans charity.
Walsh said money was raised primarily through tee sponsorships, which included signs honoring veterans by name.
Signs at the 10th tee at Idlewild Country Club honoring veterans Thomas J. Walsh and Joe Tracy, part of the club’s Memorial Day fundraising golf outing. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
The club has conducted the Memorial Day ceremony for about a decade, and this was the second year for the fundraiser.
“It’s so people realize we’re here playing golf because of what those people (veterans) did,” Walsh said. “Memorial day is more than a golf outing. In my heart, it’s very special.”
Golf outing organizer Dick Walsh addresses the crowd gathered under the entryway awning at the clubhouse at Idlewild on Sunday, May 24. (Eric Crump/H-F Chronicle)
The flag ceremony included a bagpiper escorting flag bearer Pat McCool as he delivered the American flag and the MIA/POW flag to Walsh and Bruce Lill, who raised the two flags.
Dave Mehl sang the national anthem and VFW members from Mokena provided the flag service.