Crossroads Chamber hosted its annual Golf Outing on Monday morning, inviting its members to take on the greens at Innsbrook Country Club.
The event, a casual outing for golfers of all skill levels, is one of the most well-attended activities of the year for Crossroads Chamber. As golfers journeyed through Innsbrook’s 18-holes, they participated in different challenges, raffles, and mini-games at different tees. Crossroads also organized breakfast and lunch for participants, a bag drop, and a Bloody Mary & mimosa bar.
“I’m a regular at the golf outing; this is my fifth year out here,” said Matt Scheuer, vice president of business development for Northwest Indiana at Purdue Federal Credit Union and member of the Crossroads Chamber Board of Directors. “My golf game is bad, very bad, but I’m here to have a good time. All business is done through relationships, and being here at the Golf Outing is a good way to build those relationships, foster them, and keep that rapport going.”
Some participants were avid golfers, who played a few rounds each week. Others dusted off their clubs for the first time this year to join Crossroads Chamber at the outing, such as NorthShore Health Center’s Denise Carpenter.
“I haven’t swung a club all season yet, so we’re about to find out how it’s going to go,” Carpenter joked. “We’re so excited to be out here. We’re actually golfing with the Times today and we can’t wait to see everybody.”
The outing, as well as the reception and lunch that followed the round of golf, offered a premiere chance for local businesses to network and build connections. Participants often get the chance to talk shop and trade business cards with executives in fields that they never thought might be able to help them, until a conversation reveals an opportunity.
One group eager to take part were the golfers representing Holladay Properties, which operate one of the largest business parks in the area – AmeriPlex at the Crossroads.
“It’s a great opportunity to meet people. So many different businesses take part in this outing or set up out at the holes,” Michael O’Connor, vice president of development & leasing for Holladay Properties said. “You get to see what their goods and services are and learn what they’re about. It’s great. For us working in real estate, that’s very important. We’re always trying to attract new business to town and fill the buildings that we have at Ameriplex at the Crossroads. Participating in the Chamber helps us attract those businesses to the community.”
Many of the holes were sponsored by different businesses from around Northwest Indiana. They set up tents and tables near each tee, offering raffles, challenges, and information about their businesses. Tee/Hole sponsors included: Centier Bank, Methodist Hospitals, Purdue Federal Credit Union, VNA Hospice NWI, and more.
“Events like this are so important, especially because Crossroads is such a large chamber and covers so much of the territory,” Carpenter said. “It’s a great way for us to stay connected and make sure that we’re an anchor in our communities.”
Other sponsors who took part and helped businesses stay connected were: CertaPro Painters, Lake County Economic Alliance, Purdue University Northwest, Regional Federal Credit Union, South Shore Convention & Visitors Authority, UnitedHealthcare, and NW Indiana 24/7 ER & Hospital.
Additionally, Crossroads would like to extend a thank you to the event's main sponsors, which included: Main Event Sponsor Franciscan Health, Lunch Sponsor Proven IT, Bloody Mary/Mimosa Bar Sponsors Brad Ericks Group Real Estate and Marketing - Advanced Real Estate and The Wendy Krischke Team Cross Country Mortgage, Breakfast Sponsor Brightstar Care Lake County, Putting Contest Sponsor Schilling IT, Beverage Cart Sponsor NW Indiana ER & Hospital, Keg Sponsor Total Roofing and Construction, Courtesy Shuttle Sponsor Dimitri's Catering, and Snack Sponsors Powers Health and Superior Air Ground Ambulance Service. Water was also donated by Puritan Springs.
To learn more about Crossroads Chamber, and to see a full list of event sponsors, visit crossroadschamber.org.
