More than 100 participants in Bailey's Bash at Bent Oak

Kari Becker speaks to the golfers during the Bailey's Bash golf scramble on Saturday, June 27, at Bent Oak Golf Course in Breese.    More than 100 golfers competed in a four-person scramble for a good cause on Saturday, June 27.
    The ninth annual Bailey's Bash was held at Bent Oak Golf Course in Breese. It is the second straight year the event was in the form of a golf scramble.
    There were a combined 108 golfers in the morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session was full with 15 foursomes. There were 12 foursomes in the second session.
    Along with the golf scramble, there were basket raffles, auction items and a 50/50 drawing. Organizers are still going through all of the financials, but said it was another successful event despite a downpour of rain during the morning session.
    The rain came toward the end of the morning session. The afternoon session was delayed by about a half-hour.
    The event is held annually in memory of Bailey George, who passed away from cancer in 2016 at the age of 20. It is hosted by The Bailey Bunch and raises money for Love You More Foundation and Relay For Life of Clinton County.
    In the fall of 2015, George, of Aviston, was a junior at the University of Evansville running cross country. She had just beaten her personal record at a race in September. She started having pains in her back and getting sick repeatedly. By November, doctors found evidence of melanoma in her spine and it was too advanced for traditional treatments of chemotherapy or radiation. The cancer spread aggressively and George died on Jan. 5, 2016.
   George's parents, Shelise and Craig Zurliene, brother Caleb and sister Maris decided to carry on George's legacy and created the Love You More Foundation. Easton Rakers looks to make a putt during the Bailey's Bash golf scramble at Bent Oak Golf Course.The organization's mission is to provide assistance to persons and families affected by illness; to provide scholarships to high school and university students; to provide assistance to other organizations, businesses, schools, or persons through donations of money, service, time, or supplies; and to spread love and joy to those in need while carrying on George's legacy.
   Love You More has given away about $10,000 per year to those in need and is funded primarily by personal donations and Bailey's Bash.
    Bailey's Bash started in 2017 and has been going every year since expect 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    "I just want to thank everyone for coming out today," Shelise Zurliene said. "I really appreciate you guys sticking around and playing golf in the rain. I just hope everyone goes out there and has fun on the course."
    Kari Becker, a board member for the Love You More Foundation and one of George's best friends, thanked everyone for attending.
    "It is truly amazing to see a community come together to support Love You More Foundation and the Relay For Life of Clinton County," Becker said. "We could not have a successful event without all of you."
   Becker thanked Doug Schulte and all of the Bent Oak Golf Course staff, along with all of the event sponsors.Bartelso locals participating in Bailey's Bash
    She also thanked all of the Bailey Bunch members, who wore dark green shirts on Saturday.
  "Bailey George was one of our very best friends and I can speak on behalf of all of us when I say we would like to think that she is still the glue that holds the family of our friends together," Becker said. "There is countless memories of Bailey that we all love to reflect on because they remind us of her caring heart, infectious personality, and the joy she brought to everyone around her."
    Becker said losing George to cancer was a difficult time for her friend group and her family. They wanted to find a meaningful way to remember her, so in 2020 they started Bailey's Bash at Hondo's Sports Bar and Grill in Bartelso. Through Bailey's Bash, they are able to make an impact around the area and beyond.
    "Thank you for your continued support in honoring Bailey's memory through the Love You More Foundation and Relay For Life of Clinton County," Becker said.
    Relay For Life will be Friday, Aug. 7, at Central Community High School in Breese.
    The team of Landon Albers, Craig Zurliene, Grant Goebel and Troy Schroeder won the morning session on Saturday. The team of Hayden Rickhoff, Mason Shubert, Easton Rakers and Cody Dickshot won the afternoon session.