The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
RAIN SLICKENS 2018 CHILI OPEN
Black Brook Golf Course attracts hundreds for annual event
The 2018 Lake County Chili Open at Black Brook Golf Course in Mentor enjoyed a sold-out crowd, despite the absence one of the event’s signature features.
That’s right - there was no snow once again for this chilly chili outing. But neither that, nor the rain that replaced it, dampened the spirits of those who participated in this year’s event.
“It was perfect weather. The course was nice,” said Mentor resident Justin Quaal, who along with his dad, Robert Quaal, was just finishing up the duo’s first round at the event as the rain moved in around noon over the course.
“We were actually talking about playing another round but didn’t want to get rained on,” the elder Quaal said as the first drops began descending upon the course. He added had the weather been worse, it might not have been a day to play at all. “We were just talking about making this a tradition. But if it gets too cold, I don’t know... not sure if I could do it in the cold.”
"It was perfect weather. The course was nice." — Mentor resident Justin Quaal
As it was, he said, the day provided the perfect opportunity for he and Justin, who used to work at Black Brook, to enjoy a rare January outing together.
“This is our first time doing this,” Justin’s dad said. “I’ve heard about it for years. It’s a nice, mini golf vacation in January.”
The course’s resident professional and manager Tim Ausperk said one of the things the venue is known for is the fact that it’s open year-round and offers golfers a place to play, weather dependent, in the winter. So, whether the snow’s flying or not, the crew there presents the event, which celebrated its 12th year Jan. 27, to help the Lake County United Way raise funds and to provide fun for regulars.
“With that snow yesterday, we didn’t know (what the course) was going to look like today,” he said, adding that the fact that it all melted by game day allowed organizers to lay out a regular nine-hole course for those who participated, rather than the abbreviated version presented in snowier times.
But snow doesn’t necessarily mean folks don’t show, nor does it mean they’re any less enthusiastic about the event.
“Yeah, when there is snow, people will bring their golf clubs on a sled and kind of dress up for it,” Ausperk said. “It’s just kind of lighthearted and fun.”
Lake County United Way representatives Jean Sency, vice president, resource development, and resource development manager Jodi Matsko both agreed folks tend to be more spirited during the vent when the course wears a white blanket.
“This is one of my most favorite events of the year,” Matsko said. “I just wish it was snowy. It’s so much fun when it is. (The golfers) come in (wearing), like, eight snow suits (each) and they’re just all amped up and having so much fun with it.”
Sency said ticket sales usually top out by midweek the week before when there’s snow on the ground.
“It always does really well when there’s a lot of snow and it’s windy and blustery outside,” she said. “And the attendees seem to be more festive. But it’s still a lot of fun.”
Jan. 27 marked the second year in a row the snow hasn’t made it to the show, the ladies remembered.
“I know last year, we had to have the windows open,” Matsko said, gesturing to the panes of glass behind the line of hot dogs, chili and all the fixings in the venue’s club house.
Regardless, organizers confirmed the event enjoyed a sell-out crowd this year, with ticket sales surpassing the 220 mark.
“It’s a lot of regulars,” Sency said.
Outside, before the rain came, Mentor High School sophomores Wyatt Chapman and Nick Zaller, both 15, said they liked the weather the day brought because it allowed them to play “a different game.”
“I think it’s cool because you get to come out early in the season and play,” Wyatt said. “It’s a lot wetter, so the ball isn’t going to roll as far. It’s a different game.” Nick agreed. “The course conditions are different,” he said. “For one thing, it’s aerated and that makes it a lot harder.”
Both boys are on Mentor High School’s golf team, so they said they really appreciated the challenge.
These sentiments were likely music to Mentor recreation coordinator Maggie Kuyasa’s ears, who also said she sees many of the same folks show up year after year for the event.
“Oh, this is great,” she said. “It’s pretty much the same people who come each year, so that makes it really fun. It’s a little disappointing that there’s no snow. But that’s OK.”
She said the fact that the event was green, although wet, made for a great opportunity for the area’s dedicated golfers.
“The real, true-blue, hardcore golfers like to come to it and don’t mind the weather because they get to play a regular (game of) nine holes,” she said.
Ausperk, the United Way and the city of Mentor all thanked the businesses which donated goods to this year’s event – Giant Eagle, the hot dogs and buns, and Sam’s Club, the chili – and said organizers don’t see the tradition ending anytime soon.