Charity golf: Fire too hot for Police
By Dick Goss dgoss@stmedianetwork.com June 14, 2012 6:02PM
Representing Joliet Fire, Doug Frederick (left) gets a high-five from Rick Trafton, representing Joliet Police, during the Joliet Police vs. Joliet Fire charity golf match Thursday at Woodruff Golf Course in Joliet. | Matthew Grotto~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: July 16, 2012 6:26AM
When you string an eagle and five birdies in a six-hole stretch of a 4-ball golf event, chances are you will end your match in a hurry.
Brad North and Dave Chizmark of the Joliet Fire laid that blitz on Joliet Police Chief Mike Trafton and Rick Raasch as the always-hot Fire won seven of eight matches Thursday at Woodruff and coasted to another victory over the Police in the conclusion of their annual two-day charity challenge.
A new format was tried Wednesday and there was enough dislike for the match-ups that had been set for Thursday that things were rearranged to have a Police team face a Fire team in each match. The Fire, which led comfortably in points after Wednesday’s two rounds, won the first seven matches Thursday. Kevin LaBolle and Ryan Smith saved the Police from a shutout when they beat the Fire’s Chris Stein-John Stachelski 2-and-1.
“Yeah, we definitely lacked defense,” Trafton laughed about his and Raasch’s 6-and-5 loss to North-Chizmark. “They were unbelievable.
“They’re both excellent players. ‘Chiz’ eagles, then North gets back-to-back birds. We played good, and it probably wasn’t even as close as the score. It’s a whole other level when you get up against those guys.”
“Yesterday we were 5-under after nine and played real well, too,” Chizmark said. “We played real well these two days. We were on fire today.”
Chizmark’s dad, Rick, is retired from the police department and is that team’s co-coach with Raasch. So you know who has the bragging rights.
“He’s a policeman, but deep down, I hope he’s cheering for the fire department,” Dave Chizmark said of his dad.
As always, the big winner is charity. The participants and retirees who came out to play and lend their support raised more than $8,000, bringing the nine-year total above $80,000.
The Fire played for Illinois Youth Burn Camps and the Police for the Keith Rafacz Benefit Fund. An ATF agent, Rafacz died of a rare cancer in April.
“These guys pay all the costs, so every dime we take in goes straight to the charities,” said Battalion Chief Terry Mangun, co-coach of the Fire. “That’s what we are most proud of. And, of course, the park district has been fantastic. We couldn’t do this without them.”
“This is such a good event, you hate to see somebody lose,” said Dave Chizmark, a good friend of Raasch. “But if somebody has to, it might as well be Rico.”
“It really wouldn’t have mattered who we played today,” North said. “We’ve played together maybe the last five years and I don’t remember us having a streak like (that six-hole stretch).”
The Fire’s Doug Frederick, who teamed with Mike Bessette to beat Rick Trafton-Marc Reid 4-and-2, was selected the MVP and is turning the award over to one of the Police’s top golfers, Bob Miller, who is battling cancer and could not play.
The other Fire victories were Cory Brenczewski-Paul Purcell 2-up over Francis Ruettiger-Jeff Haduke, Fred Offerman-Mark Blackburn 3-and-2 over Pat Schumacher-Jim Allison, Bill Tatro-Dan Smith 7-and-6 over Joe Egizio-Scott Nicodemus, Chuck Skeldon-Leon Trimmer 4-and-3 over John Nosal-Dwayne Killian and Matt Hornbuckle-Joe Krupa 1-up over Pat Kerr-Jim Klancher.
