18 Years of Great Golf and Friendship

A misty morning and chilly temperatures couldn’t dampen the spirits of golfers at the 18th annual Prep Classic at Madden’s on Gull Lake. The group of 84 golfers came together to support Prep at the stunning Classic Course by Madden’s in Brainerd, MN on Sept. 18. The wind was strong throughout the say and temperature never went over 65.

Once again, Brian ’68 and Deb Thuringer, the proprietors of Madden’s on Gull Lake hosted the event. Brian has recently retired from day-to-day operations at Madden’s, so he had time to play in the Classic this year! Brian and his son, Ben, joined SJP Vice President of Advancement, Aaron Miller for a round of golf. Their threesome didn’t have the lowest score, but they did complete the course first!

The golf professionals at The Classic at Madden’s had to settle a tiebreaker to determine the winners of the Prep Classic. The top teams were Team Cheeley and Team Backes. Team Cheeley was made up of Kristen Berreau, Brock ’96, Nate ’99, Blake ‘02 and Joyce Cheeley. Team Backes was made up of SJP Activities Director Bryan Backes, Bill Eickhoff, Paul Hanowski and Joe Vaughn. Both Team Cheeley and Team Backes scored an admirable 60 on the challenging course. The tie was broken after the score of an individual hole was evaluated and Team Backes was the winner!

Team Cheeley did go home with four trophies, Joyce Cheeley won the women’s longest drive and Nate Cheeley won the men’s longest drive, closest to the pin and longest put awards!

The second flight winners took home four trophies and was made up of former Board of Regents member Grtechen Agge, John Agee, Fr. Nick Kleepsie, OSB and Fr. Lou Grobe, OSB. Other golfers on the course included Abbot John Klassen ‘67, OSB, who joined the group just hours after returning from a conference in St. Louis, MO.

Donn ‘56 and Patty Thurk of Thurk Bros provided golfers with the change to win a car with a hole in one during the tournament- no one won! Prep parents Matt and Cassy Seymour and their Brainerd based convenience stores, QSquares.com, sponsored a set of golf balls for each player. Golfers included members

After golf, everyone came together for an amazing meal of grilled flank steak and shrimp created by the Madden’s team of talented chefs. Cozy gas heaters warmed up the picturesque tent as players and guests enjoyed dinner and the awards ceremony. Headmaster Fr. Jonathan Licari, OSB thanked everyone for their support and welcomed St. Cloud Diocese Bishop Donald Kettler to the meal.

Each player and guest took home a door prize- favors ranged from apparel from Customa Accents, homemade Brothers Candles, SJU athletics tickets, Bernick’s Pepsi golf items and Saint John’s Abbey gift items.