Thanks to Maplehurst Farms for golf play day

By Doug Halberstadt
Sports Columnist

Last Friday, I was a guest of a good friend of mine at the annual Maplehurst Farms golf play day. This is at least the seventh or eighth time I’ve had the good fortune of playing in this outing.

The last two years, the event has been held at the Rochelle Country Club. In previous years, we’ve played at Silver Ridge in Oregon, Ill., and Prairie View in Byron, Ill.

The thing that sets this play day apart from any other I’ve ever participated in is there is no fee to the golfers. Granted, it’s not a fund-raiser for some charity, it’s truly an appreciation event for Maplehurst family members, employees, customers and their guests.

The amazing thing to me is even in these difficult economic times this local family-owned company continues to host this event. Not only is there NO CHARGE whatsoever for the golf, cart and steak dinner for all the participants, they also give everyone a nice gift upon arrival at the course. This year, it was a very nice golf towel. In past years, we’ve gotten various other golf-related items. I still have some of the T-shirts and golf balls from prior years.

I almost forgot to mention, each foursome is also supplied with a 12-pack of complimentary beverages (beer and/or soft drinks) for the day on the course.

After the full-course steak dinner, everyone is assured of going home with a very nice attendance gift. Maplehurst purchases many of those items as well; others are donated by many of their suppliers. Maplehurst is the quintessential host.

I’m sure a company that pays this kind of attention to hosting a golf outing must do as equally a thorough job in the transaction of their daily business. I’m assuming this is probably one of the main reasons why they are successful enough to continue this annual summer tradition. This is truly one event I look forward to each August, and hope I continue to be invited back to each year.

I salute this company for consistently going above and beyond what is considered generous in today’s business climate. From a guest of one of their customers, I would like to express my gratitude and wish them continued success in all they do. Thanks again for everything, and hope to see you again next year.

Doug Halberstadt can be reached via e-mail at Dougster61@aol.com.

From the Aug. 18-24, 2010 issue