Michael and Betty Meinardus really know how to throw a party. The Hawi couple hosted and underwrote the total cost of the 4th Annual Kohala Hospital Charitable Foundation Scramble Golf Tournament February 11, at Hapuna Golf Course. And it was a smashing success: 118 players from all over the Big Island showed up, twice the number as last year, and more than $37,500 was raised to help finance the much-needed modernization of the hospital’s emergency room. Michael Meinardus, who represents the German brewer Bitburger Braugruppe, made sure plenty of his beer was available on the course and at lunch.
“Besides being a lot of fun, it was one of the most professionally organized charity tournaments anyone had ever seen,” said Clive Davies of Mauna Lani.
The winning team was composed of Bob Martin, Chris Helmuth, Aaron Sienkiewicz, and Scott Bedingfield of Kohala, recognized as among the best golfers on the Big Island. They and other winners of cash prizes returned their money to benefit the hospital, as did most winners of prizes won in a raffle.
“On behalf of Bitburger, Betty and I want to thank all the volunteers, the sponsors, and the donors for the spirit of giving so generously,” said Michael. “This tournament was played in great team spirit, and I’m very happy that our little hospital will benefit so that one day we will be able to build a new emergency room. We look forward to doing it again next year.”
Betty added, “A special thank you to John Watterson, Frank Morgan, John Adams and West Hawaii Concrete’s Jason and Mel Macys, who made fabulous trophies for the winners, for all their help, support and generosity. We could not have done it without you wonderful people of Kohala and beyond.”
