Sweetbriar Hosts 17th Annual USO Bob Hope Golf Outing

Bucky Kopf, Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka and David Graves welcomed guests to the annual Sweetbriar USO Golf Outing on Sept. 13.

Sweetbriar Golf Club & Pro Shop proudly hosted the 17th annual USO of Northern Ohio Bob Hope Golf Outing & North Coast Bake on Friday, Sept. 13.

A perfect late-summer day welcomed hundreds of golfers who supported the event with one main objective: “Serving our neighbors who are serving our country.”

Joanne and Bucky Kopf joined with the USO Northern Ohio to also extend a special welcome to military service organizations who attended in support of the event. They included an Air Force Recruiting Color Guard, the 256th Combat Support Hospital (U.S. Army Reserve), and the United States Marines, who displayed Marine Humvees.

Golfers were welcomed by Seth Shalov, Board President, USO of Northern Ohio, who explained the USO’s mission to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel serving overseas. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to helping provide support to the men and women of the current military and their families throughout the 31 counties of northern Ohio.

Air Force Recruiting Command Color Guard at the start of the day.

Media personality Jim Mueller served as Master of Ceremonies, David Graves presented the National Anthem and Avon Lake Mayor Greg Zilka led guests in the Pledge of Allegiance. Ron Schwachenwald, Col. U.S. Army (retired) recognized War Veterans who were present and offered a moment of silence for our fallen. The Avon Lake Police Dept. then presented a 21-gun salute and golfers took to the course for this great community cause.

After 18 holes out on the course on a beautiful sunny golf day, players and guests were invited to the dinner and raffle which included steamed clams, baked chicken, and side items, prepared by the staff of Sweetbriar’s Legacy Restaurant & Grille.

More information about the USO of Northern Ohio’s services and a link to donate are available on their website, USONorthernOhio.org.