ABOVE: American Legion Department of Illinois Commander Celeste Latham speaks during Saturday morning AL State Golf Tournament opening ceremonies at Post 210.
Although Saturday’s opening ceremonies were moved from Harrison Park to American Legion Post 210 due to the rainy weather forecast, the annual American Legion State Golf Tournament in Danville got off to a very sentimental start; as much of the ceremony focused on the late Greg Alpers; remembered as the man who brought the state tournament back to this area, and made sure it stayed in Danville.
Former mayor and Saturday emcee Scott Eisenhauer recalled Alpers coming to see him and saying ‘let’s bring the tournament back.” Current mayor Rickey Williams, Jr remember Alpers coming to see him and saying ‘let’s make Danville the tournament’s permanent home.” And then there was Greg’s daughter Stephanie, remembering how committed her father really was to the tournament.
AUDIO: (Eisenhauer) Greg walked into my office; said he had this crazy idea. The American Legion State Golf Tournament had not been in existence for a number of years, and he wanted to bring it back. He wanted to bring it to Danville, but only if he would have the support of city hall. And so I told him; absolutely, we’d do anything he could to make sure that it happened.
AUDIO: (Williams) Mr. Alpers was a great man, and we appreciate everything he’s done for Danville. This is really a life-giving event. It’s an event where we’re able to honor Veterans and other groups that do good work. And so if makes me awfully proud.
AUDIO: (Greg’s daughter Stephanie) (He) rounded up me to be the treasurer, formed a committee, got the Convention and Visitors Bureau involved, you know when Jeanie Cooke was running it. And together, we created the committee, and it was just; from the get go he was so passionate about it. “Okay, we need to do this, let’s do this, let’s do this.” He’d show up at the Visitors Bureau; and it was “oh my gosh, here comes Greg again!”
And now every year, as American Legion Department of Illinois Commander Celeste Latham pointed out; during the annual American Legion State Convention in July, everyone is quite aware what’s coming up in August.
AUDIO: There’s a lot of excitement going into the department convention, because we know that there will be a table there for everyone to get registered for the golf tournament. So it’s exciting.
And finally, Illinois American Legion Public Relations chairman Paul Garrett reminds us of a couple major reasons that they raise money from this tournament every year.
AUDIO: More scholarships available than any other organization in the country. From oratory, to Eagle Scout of the Year; on and on and on. So many scholarships, and so many Veterans helping Veterans one-on-one.
Golfers battled through the rain Saturday morning, and got going at 9 AM at both Harrison Park and Turtle Run.
