The Dad and Lad Golf Outing on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 was originally organized as a way for fathers to teach their young sons the importance of giving back to people less fortunate. The principle organizers twenty-five years ago were Mike Chirco of MJC Companies, Joe Maniaci of Troy Tube, and Sam Cottone of Twin Lakes Golf Course.
Sam Cottone recounted how the event began:
“One day after we had just opened up the golf course, we started planning the first outing. We had some sandwiches and a few beers, and Mike said, ‘I’ll pick up the tab for the food, and we’ll donate the money to St. Louis Center.’ We raised about $3,000 at the time, and we all thought that was great in our first year.”
25 years later this event is still going strong. On August 3rd, 2022, a fleet of golfers teed off at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Rochester Hills, MI, the site of every Annual Dad and Lad Golf Outing to benefit the St. Louis Center for a quarter-century. Golfers enjoyed a delicious Italian family style dinner and bidding on many fun and practical silent auction items. Sarah, one of St. Louis Center’s long-time residents, entertained diners by playing well-loved songs on her recorder, and Jacqui helped select the winners of silent auction items.
From the small beginning two and a half decades ago, with this year’s donations the Center has received over $1,200,000 from this event in the last 25 years!