Michigan Grocers Association’s June 18 golf outing was a success by any measure, especially for Jim Weaver of Georgia Pacific and his teammates who walked away with the winner’s prize after shooting a 14-under par 58 in the scramble format event.

1st Place:  The winning team consisted of Acosta’s Tom Kester, Georgia Pacific’s Jim Weaver, Paul Chatterton and Brian Rutledge (not pictured).

2nd Place:  Last year’s winning team of Dwayne Hazzard (Supervalu-Fort Wayne) and Mark White, Scott Dobie and Mike Young of L&L Food Centers finished second with a 12-under score of 60.

The real winner, this year and every year was MGA’s government relations effort. Proceeds from sponsorships, entry fees, and “boodle bag” sales returned $31,000 to the association after expenses.

The golf course at Yarrow once again got rave reviews from MGA’s 120 golfers, who came from as far away as Cincinnati, Kenosha, Chicago, Detroit, and Traverse City to support the outing. Wet weather and a big jump in temperatures just prior to the outing put the course in outstanding condition.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their support, but especially the outing’s sponsors,” said MGA Vice President Mike Hamelin. “In a year that seems every budget is under strain, our sponsor support increased. That’s remarkable and MGA is very grateful.”

A great lineup of door and raffle prizes ensured that few went home empty-handed. Prize donors included  Meijer, Pepsi Bottling Group, UBCR, Michigan Apple Committee, Coca-Cola Bottling of Michigan, and Michigan Sugar Company.

Spartan Stores’ team:  Frank Malott, Derek Jones, Jim Gohsman and Nick Wedberg.

Craig Diepenhorst with H.T. Hackney, Kevin Begin with Country Fresh, Bill Hillman with H.T. Hackney and DJ Oleson with Oleson’s Food Stores.

Nash Finch’s Rick Schmitz, Sean Kennedy and Ford Kennedy from Polly’s, and Nash Finch’s John Cruden.

SUPERVALU’s Mike Schiffli, L&L Food Centers’ Rick Zahm and DeMond’s SUPERVALU’s Gary DeMond and Nick DeMond.