$120,000 RAISED IN 2010
FOR ROTARY CAMP

Golf enthusiasts battled the elements at the Annual Chili Open presented by Wayne Homes

The 20th Annual Wayne Homes Chili Open attracted 350 avid golfers and volunteers Saturday, February 6, 2010 and raised over $120,000 for Akron Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs.

The Chili Open extreme sport of winter golf was originally created more than twenty years ago on frozen tundra of a lake. This year’s golfers hit the links on the scenic Hale Farm and Village in Bath, Ohio. The grounds of the historic location were transformed into four, 9-hole golf courses. The hole distances ranged from 65 to 125 yards and featured extreme obstacles, including: putting across the tundra, sliding in the snow and chipping on an ice-laden course. Afterwards, golfers were provided all-you-can-eat Whitey’s famous chili.

“It’s amazing that some of us are willing to wage war against Ohio’s winter weather just to play 9 holes. And what a great way to do it, helping out children in our community!” said Dan Reynolds, Executive Director of Akron Rotary Camp for Children With Special Needs.

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Proceeds from The Chili Open will provide more than 900 children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to spend a week at Rotary Camp, where they will swim, canoe, participate in arts and crafts, sports and games, team building and more. For more than eighty years, the Rotary Club of Akron has sponsored Rotary Camp, which provides children and adults with special needs throughout Ohio, a place to live the camp experience, a place where disabilities and limits do not hold them back. The Akron Rotary Camp is operated by the Akron Area YMCA.

About Next Year's Event ...

One of the most unique challenges for either an extreme sports enthusiast or a hobbyist golfer is the arctic golf experience of the Wayne Homes Chili Open. Next year, nearly 1,00 polar bear golfers will converge on the scenic Hale Farm and village in Bath. On that date, the grounds of this historic location will be transformed into seven golf courses with nine holes each. Hole distances will range from 65 to 125 yards. Golfers will be challenged to drive shots across tundra and putt balls laden with ice. Just as in any respectable outing, there will be awards for the closest-to-the pin and the hole-in-one.

Warming-up is Half the Fun!

While this may not sound like and event for the faint-of-heart, it is perfect for anyone that enjoys a good time and likes to help a great cause. Included with the registration fee for each golfer is a pass to the Wayne Homes Chili Open warm-up party. Inside the banquet hall of Hale Farm and Village, all golfers will be treated to all-you-can-eat Whitey’s Chili. There will be plenty of space for playing cards and reminiscing about the best shots of the day on the frigid course. There will also be great raffle prizes.

What to Bring

Dress appropriately for the day's weather conditions. Bring as many clubs as you like, but most Chili Open Golfers prefer irons ranging from seven to wedge and a putter. Extra golf balls are a good idea—we recommend orange! Golf bags are optional.

Great Fun for A Great Cause

Your participation in the 2010 Wayne Homes Chili Open golf classic will help more than 500 children and adults with disabilities attend the Rotary camp next summer! Every summer for more than 80 years, the Rotary Club of Akron has sponsored the Rotary camp. Children with special needs throughout Ohio have been invited to spend a week at camp, where they enjoy many traditional activities including swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts, sports and games, team building and more in our convenient and accessible natural setting. When campers leave Rotary camp at the end of each session, they not only leave with lifelong memories and friends, but they often show more independence as well as a greater understanding of themselves and their abilities. For more information about the Akron Rotary Camp, please call the camp office at 330.644.4512.