Photo submitted
Professional golfer Mick Yelovich (left) presents Josh Wilson with a trip to Pebble Beach after winning the long drive challenge at the 28th annual Sarah Bush Lincoln Golf Benefit.

•June 21, 2017•

The 28th annual Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Foundation golf benefit experienced a record-setting year, reaching net proceeds of nearly $60,000 and attracting 262 golfers.

Funds raised at the June 9 event at Meadowview Golf Course will support the Foundation’s current initiative: “Life . . . Nothing Beats It,” a capital campaign to raise funds for the cardiology expansion project at Sarah Bush Lincoln that will include a new Heart Center and 21 new private patient rooms.

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and the enthusiasm of our golfers,” said Kim Lockart, special events officer for the Foundation. “Each year we have tremendous support for our events at Sarah Bush Lincoln. This year, we introduced new challenges for our golfers and it was certainly exciting to set a record on funds raised for this outing.” Title sponsors include BSA Life Structures, Cerner, Coles-Moultrie Electric Cooperative and Co-Bank; First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, Hinshaw & Culbertson, and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

New this year was a long drive challenge in which Josh Wilson won a trip to Pebble Beach including airfare, three rounds of golf and a two-night stay valued at $5,000. During the challenge, players could make a donation to the Heart Center to have Mick Yelovich, eight-time long drive world championship qualifier, hit their tee shot. Wilson won the trip by chipping the ball in the cup on the second shot of the par-5 hole. Yelovich, who represents Charity Golf International, generated an additional $3,500 in donations for the Heart Center during the event.

For more information, contact Lockart at 217/258-2511.

Photo by Mike Brothers

•June 14, 2017•

Former fast pitch teammates, village officials, family and friends of Hall of Fame fast pitch softball player Joe Phillips gathered June 9 in Wyman Park to dedicate the south softball field in his honor. Sullivan Mayor Ann Short presented the dedication plaque to Phillips’ son Terry who thanked the many teammates and friends who attended the 5:30 p.m. ceremony and invited them to an informal reunion at the Red Apple Restaurant afterwards.

Photo by Ellen Ferrera
Healthcom 5K participants prepare for the event to begin last week in Sullivan. More than 50 participated in the first walk/run for Mid-Illinois Senior Services .

•June 14, 2017•

By Ellen Ferrera
for the News Progress

Over 50 men, women and children turned out at Wyman Park Saturday to participate in Healthcom’s 5Krun/walk to benefit the Mid-Illinois Senior Services. The race started promptly at 9 a.m. with runners, walkers and some seniors walking a mile on the high school track.

One of those was Art Welch who is recovering from hip replacement surgery. With the support of his family and wheelchair he completed several laps on the track. Read More