Pat Spoerndle is a centurion with a cause.

The Medina resident came up with an interesting concept three years ago and Hospice of Medina County has reaped the benefits.

Owner of 7·D Marketing on State Road in Medina, Spoerndle was looking for a way to make sure a charity of his choice picked up a financial boost through a golf outing. But not just your average golf outing, one with an interesting twist.

Spoerndle, 54, will play 100 holes in a day to benefit Hospice, with 100 percent of all money going to the organization. That’s five rounds of golf plus 10 holes played in less than 12 hours.

“The money stays in the community and what they do is pretty amazing,” said Spoerndle, who has raised $37,000 in two years for the organization. “I’m a golf addict, a golf junkie, and a few years back I started having this idea. I thought what a cool concept it would be to raise some money for a great organization.”

What has transpired is very interesting. Spoerndle starts at 6:30 a.m. on the Meadows Course of Fox Meadow Country Club with his daughter Alex and her friend Megan Bricker, both Medina graduates, as spotters/caddies.

One stays with him and hands him a club, while the other drives out a half-hole ahead to spot shots. It usually takes nine hours, but comes with a lifetime full of memories.

“The combination of adrenaline and everything else comes into play,” Spoerndle said. “I step up my workout program in preparation.

“Knock on wood, I’ve had good weather both years. It’s unbelievable. Part of it is having my kids involved and the other is taking a passion and turning it into something positive. I’ll keep doing it as long as I can.”

This year’s event, named “100 for Hospice,” will take place Aug. 1.

For more information, call Spoerndle at (330) 721-8822 or send donations to “100 for Hospice,” c/o 7·D Marketing, Inc., 245 State Road, Medina, 44256.

You can follow his progress on Twitter @100 for Hospice.

Any donation is 100 percent tax deductible.

Great success

Dorman Farrell held its fourth annual charity golf outing recently at Medina Country Club and four deserving organizations came out winners. Attendees and sponsors raised $14,000 and split the proceeds between the MStar Foundation, Medina Creative Housing, Project Learn and The Children’s Center of Medina County.

Ohio “wide” Open

Three-time champion and 2010 Ohio Open winner Bob Sowards will not be around to defend his title Monday through Wednesday on the Weymouth and Meadows courses of Fox Meadow Country Club. The former PGA Tour player will be participating on the Nationwide Tour in the Chiquita Classic at TPC River’s Bend in Cincinnati.

Outings

The Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual golf outing on Aug. 8 at Weymouth Country Club. The outing features 18 holes of golf, drinks and snacks on the course and includes a lunch and dinner. The cost to attend is $135 per golfer and the deadline to register is July 27. For more information, contact Tina Gienger (330) 723-8773 or download a registration form at medinaohchamber.com/golf.

• The Paralyzed Veterans of America, Buckeye Chapter will hold an outing on Aug. 19 at Hinckley Hills Golf Course. The cost is $110 for individuals and $400 for foursomes. Fees include golf, cart, lunch and dinner. There will be door prizes, raffles, team prizes and a hole-in-one competition. For more information, call Sharon Moster at (216) 731-1017. A registration form can also be downloaded at buckeyepva.org.

Contact Brad Bournival at sports@medina-gazette.com.

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