The County Press

Fifth Annual View Lady Classic breaks attendance and sponsorship records, raises thousands for LACADA


The Golden Golfers won Best Dressed at Thursday’s View Lady Classic. Pictured are Jen Anderson, Melissa Bunting, Celeb Caddie Ed Pagac, Casey Ziola and Lyndsey Gromek.

The Golden Golfers won Best Dressed at Thursday’s View Lady Classic. Pictured are Jen Anderson, Melissa Bunting, Celeb Caddie Ed Pagac, Casey Ziola and Lyndsey Gromek.

METAMORA TWP. — The sold-out Fifth Annual View Lady Classic presented by McLaren Lapeer Region took place on Thursday, Aug. 5, at Metamora Golf & Country Club raising money for LACADA (Lapeer Area Citizens Against Domestic Assault) and providing a day of fun for golfers, caddies and volunteers.

Golfers arrived early to decorate their carts and get into costume in order to compete in the Best Dressed and Most Spirited contests. Returning this year was the popular Celeb Caddie Auction, which was held online last year to keep with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The Caddies — including John Payne, Pete Clinton, Brendan Dimich, Ed Pagac, Alex Petrie, Harvey Acheson, Rick Fleming, Chris Byrnes and Bob Riehl — did not disappoint, each preparing a special entrance and providing gifts for the golf teams who won them. The auction alone raised $8,300 for LACADA this year.

Since its start, the outing has raised more than $63,000 for LACADA. The final dollar amount raised at Thursday’s event was not available by press time.

Jim Riehl’s Friendly Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram general manager Bob Riehl (left) and Chris Byrnes, the new car sales manager at the Lapeer dealership, were a package deal during a celebrity caddie auction at the View Lady Classic benefit golf event to support LACADA. Photos by Jeff Hogan

Jim Riehl’s Friendly Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram general manager Bob Riehl (left) and Chris Byrnes, the new car sales manager at the Lapeer dealership, were a package deal during a celebrity caddie auction at the View Lady Classic benefit golf event to support LACADA. Photos by Jeff Hogan

For the past 26 years, LACADA has provided support services and safe emergency shelter to women and children who were fleeing domestic violence in their homes. Since the shelter first opened its doors, LACADA has sheltered more than 4,000 women and children. More than 18,000 crisis calls have been answered through LACADA’s 24-hour helpline. Its local emergency shelter operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

LACADA provides free and confidential support to live a life free from violence. Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault often feel alone and there is nowhere to turn. LACADA strives to empower survivors in regaining control in their lives through crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services. The 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, in operation since 1991, provides free and confidential support services that include crisis intervention, support groups, court accompaniment, information and referrals for those in need and personal advocacy.

Brendan Dimich, a sales consultant at Todd Wenzel Buick GMC of Davison, reveals a Super Man T-shirt during the celebrity caddie auction prior to the start of the golf benefit event that has raised more than $60,000 in five years for LACADA.

Brendan Dimich, a sales consultant at Todd Wenzel Buick GMC of Davison, reveals a Super Man T-shirt during the celebrity caddie auction prior to the start of the golf benefit event that has raised more than $60,000 in five years for LACADA.

Sponsors at this year’s event included presenting sponsor McLaren Lapeer Region, Jim Riehl’s Friendly Auto Group, Lapeer Police Dept., Lapeer County Sheriff’s Dept., DTE Energy, Lapeer Surgery Center, Coulter Real Estate, C & L Ward, Lapeer County Vision Centers, Medstar, Todd Wenzel, Sovita Credit Union, Michigan Web Press, Kamax, ChoiceOne Bank, Coventry Realty, Smile Partners USA, Edward Jones – Phillip Guerra, Bryan’s Supermarket, Metamora Golf & CC and Fairway Catering, Ray C’s, Village Printing, Tasty Layers, Rusty Bashore photography and nearly 100 Showcase and Hole Sponsors.

“Forty-one teams participated in this year’s outing, we had amazing raffle prizes, including many donated by our generous sponsors, great weather and happy golfers,” said Emily Caswell, View Group brand manager and one of the organizers of the event. “Every year I’m blown away by the creativity of the teams and the caddies. I’m so thankful for our sponsors, volunteers and our great team who make all of this possible and help us raise money for such a worthy cause. I can’t wait for the 2022 event!”

Tracey Walker, executive director of Lapeer Area Citizens Against Domestic Assault (LACADA), thanked participants of the View Lady Classic for raising money to support the nonprofit organization that serves people who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or stalking. In operation since 1991, LACADA provides free and confidential support services that include crisis intervention, support groups, court accompaniment, information and referrals, emergency shelter and personal advocacy.

Tracey Walker, executive director of Lapeer Area Citizens Against Domestic Assault (LACADA), thanked participants of the View Lady Classic for raising money to support the nonprofit organization that serves people who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or stalking. In operation since 1991, LACADA provides free and confidential support services that include crisis intervention, support groups, court accompaniment, information and referrals, emergency shelter and personal advocacy.

For more information on LACADA visit, www.lacada.org.

Pete Clinton, director of sales for View Newspaper Group (publisher of The County Press and Lapeer Area View), dressed in character from the movie “Top Gun” during the introduction of celebrity caddies.

Pete Clinton, director of sales for View Newspaper Group (publisher of The County Press and Lapeer Area View), dressed in character from the movie “Top Gun” during the introduction of celebrity caddies.

County Press writer Alex Petrie, a celebrity caddie during the View Lady Classic, did his best Tom Cruise impersonation of the classic scene from the 1983 movie “Risky Business.”

County Press writer Alex Petrie, a celebrity caddie during the View Lady Classic, did his best Tom Cruise impersonation of the classic scene from the 1983 movie “Risky Business.”

To commemorate the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games that close Sunday, “The Olympians” team that included Arlene Frisch, Jane Beckwith, Jody Kerbyson and Dana Miller sported red, white and blue attire — including medals, during Thursday’s golf benefit event.

To commemorate the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games that close Sunday, “The Olympians” team that included Arlene Frisch, Jane Beckwith, Jody Kerbyson and Dana Miller sported red, white and blue attire — including medals, during Thursday’s golf benefit event.

Karen Fitzgerald and Maria Zavala (right) check-in View Lady Classic golfers Carol McMahan, Trisha Shannon and Morgan McMahan.

Karen Fitzgerald and Maria Zavala (right) check-in View Lady Classic golfers Carol McMahan, Trisha Shannon and Morgan McMahan.

View Newspaper Group team members Karla Irwin (left) and Jill Nichols sold raffle tickets to Susie LaDuke (right).

View Newspaper Group team members Karla Irwin (left) and Jill Nichols sold raffle tickets to Susie LaDuke (right).

View Newspaper Group Publisher Wes Smith sold tickets for a chance to win a booze cooler to McLaren Lapeer Region marketing department staff Katie Incarnati and Sam Roth.

View Newspaper Group Publisher Wes Smith sold tickets for a chance to win a booze cooler to McLaren Lapeer Region marketing department staff Katie Incarnati and Sam Roth.