Bloomington golf tournament goes on despite cold weather, storm

BLOOMINGTON (Heart of Illinois ABC) — Despite Saturday’s snow storm, local golfers didn’t have to wait until Spring to play their first round in 2022.

Highland Park Golf Course hosted their 49th-annual Snowbird Open Golf Tournament in Blooomington to ring in the new year. Golfers played nine holes, and they could either keep score or just play for fun.

Golfer Stephen Baker says it’s a family tradition to come play on New Year’s Day. He says he now does it in honor of his brother John, who died 10 years ago from liver failure.

“We tried to spend the last few years knowing that to do the things that are really important to family,” Baker said. “Golf is one of them. I called my brother and my other sister, and we all talked about john. This is a way to remember him every year, and it’s important to us.”

Baker says the prize is bragging rights for golf lovers who enjoy playing the sport no matter what the weather is like each year.

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