The 11th Annual Kids ‘N Community Foundation Golf Tournament Low Gross winners were able to reap the rewards of their golf skills during Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Thrashers. Emil Cekada, David Reitzel, Tom Hardman, and Kevin Harris enjoyed the game with family and friends in a 16 person, all-inclusive luxury suite.

Katharine Kelley

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The foursome earned the winners’ package by partnering with Joe Corvo and shooting a low gross score of 59. The Kids ‘N Community Foundation Golf Tournament (which took place back in September) came on the heels of the 2008 PGA SAS Championship; therefore, the fivesome won the tournament on the Championship Course at Prestonwood Country Club. It’s not everyday that you get to play the same course as 2008 SAS Championship winner Eduardo Romero or American pro golfers Tom Kite and Jim Thorpe. The Kids ‘N Community Foundation Golf Tournament gave all of the tournament participants the opportunity to literally walk in the footsteps of PGA golfers.

As part of the golf tournament winners’ package, the group was awarded merchandise bags with Carolina Hurricanes memorabilia and a meet and greet with players after the game. The entire group was a little worried about meeting the players after the loss against Atlanta, but the players demonstrated their class-act demeanor off the ice.

The winning foursome hung back and allowed their kids to share the spotlight with the players. Brandon Sutter, Joni Pitkanen, Frank Kaberle, Cam Ward, Eric Staal, Josef Melichar, and Joe Corvo all met with the group, signed shirts and hats, and took pictures. It was a serendipitous opportunity when Joni Pitkanen and Eric Staal came to visit because David Reitzel had purchased Pitkanen and Staal Alternate T-Shirt Jerseys for his two sons. The boys pulled the shirts out, and the entire group erupted in laughter. Even Eric and Joni were surprised at the boys’ perfect timing.

Next Sunday, the Kids ‘N Community Foundation Golf Tournament Low Net winners (Jody Hatley, Jeff Hatley, Jim Dorsett, and Scott Beyrer) will be able to relate to this suite experience during the Tampa Bay game. The foursome teamed up with Ray Whitney to shoot a low net score of 45.

Keep an eye out for information regarding next year’s golf tournament so your foursome can make a run at winning this suite experience.