Riegle Golf Tournament Set for Saturday, July 9

Pictured in 1998 are, clockwise,
L.D. Riegle, sons Mark, Tom and Tim

To Benefit State of the Heart Hospice

For the 13th year, the L.D. Riegle family and friends will gather Saturday, July 9 for the annual L. D. Riegle Open Golf Tournament at the White Springs Golf Course near Greenville. Organized by the Riegle family, the tournament is held to benefit State of the Heart Hospice and is in memory of the family’s patriarch, L. D. Riegle, who died in 1998. An avid golfer, he was cared for by State of the Heart.

“This annual fund raiser holds the record for fund raising for State of the Heart,” stated Ken Kurz, State of the Heart Director of Development and Public Relations. “This family has consistently conducted the golf outing themselves, donating the proceeds to help with patient care and support for State of the Heart. “

Over the last 12 years, the tournament has raised $55,400. The family anticipates reaching $60,000 at this year’s tournament. “This is a major contribution to our agency and one which is greatly appreciated,” Kurz said.

“This is our family’s way of paying back hospice for the great care our father received,” stated Mark Riegle, tournament director. “We want to do our part to make sure this wonderful care is there for others, just as it was for our father.”

Mark, along with his brothers Tim, Tom and their sister Debbie and their families coordinate the event. Proceeds from the outing and an auction held after the tournament, go to patient care support. Their mother Gracie, a former hospice volunteer, will participate in the planning for the event and will attend the tournament.

Asked why the tournament has remained in existence for so long, Riegle replied, “The Riegle family and friends who play in this tournament value what was done for our father. We all have the same values. It is wonderful to do something which benefits State of the Heart at the same time enjoy a day with family and friends who have a common bond. There are many who participate in the tournament who have been touched by hospice.”

As in the past 12 years, there will be 18 teams representing 72 people who will tee off at 1 p.m. The same teams have played consistently until this year. For the first time since the golf outing was launched, there was an opening. “My son, Gabe will be playing along with some friends,” explained Riegle. “He has been on the waiting list for 13 years and is excited about being able to play.”

Each member of the family, including spouses, takes on a task. Mark, of Ft. Recovery, handles hole sponsors and organizes teams; brother Tom from Arcanum, is in charge of food and drinks, and brother Tim, who lives in New Jersey, does all of the signage. The family pays for the costs of food and drinks.

An important part of the golf outing is the auction which follows the tournament at 7 p.m. “We have some really great auction items,” Riegle said. “One of the items we have is a PGA display tin autographed by Tiger Woods. We also have tickets to the Dragons game, a Reds game and Brickyard 400 tickets. We usually have an item donated by Matt Light also.” He said that the general public is invited to the auction which will have a lot of sports memorabilia on hand.

State of the Heart Hospice is a non profit agency serving patients and families in eastern Indiana and western Ohio. The agency is observing its 30th anniversary this year. For more information about the outing or to donate an item for the auction, contact Mark Riegle at 937-459-6831. For more information about hospice services, visit the web site at www.stateoftheheartcare.org.