NAPERVILLE, Ill. — It comes to political fund raising, Illinois women golfers appear to be showing the way after collecting a record $20,750 from a single, ladies-only golf tournament held by the Illinois Credit Union League.
The amount represented the "largest donation in the 31-year history of the Illinois Credit Union Political Action Committee," said the league.
The tournament was held in November at the Salt Creek Golf course in Wood Dale with more than 100 golfers attending.
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"The Ladies Open began with just a few foursomes in 1987 and that year we raised $88," recalled Geri Burek, CEO of South Division CU in Evergreen Park, who organized the event 20 years ago. "And now to see it grow to this level has been a great joy and tribute to what women can do when they set their minds to it."
In two decades, the golf tournament has generated more than $100,000 for CUPAC, she said.
In a statement, CUPAC Chairman Frank Padak, who also is president/CEO of Scott CU, said the league appreciates the efforts of Burek and others over the past two decades noting that the contribution "will definitely give us momentum to help meet our goals as we enter into an election year." CUPAC, he said, anticipates giving out more than $300,000 to state and federal candidates.
In accepting the donation, Carl Sorgatz, chairman of the league, noted that the donations from the women golfers enable CUPAC "to compete with the banks on the legislative front." And on that, "it's always a battle," he concluded.
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