Organizers who helped put together the 2025 Bailey's Bash golf scramble pose for a photo: (front row, from left) Paige Kasson, Emily Turner, Kari Becker, Jordan Becker, Kaela Guglielmo, Alex Peek, Michele Brown and Justin Guttersohn; (back row) Joe Kasson, Addison Hustedde and Adam Richter. Photos by Matt Wilson A group of 120 golfers came to Bent Oak Golf Course in Breese on Saturday, June 28, for the eighth annual Bailey's Bash.
The event is in memory of Bailey George, who passed away from cancer in 2016 at the age of 20. It is hosted by a group of George's friends called the Bailey Bunch.
Bailey's Bash helps raise money for the Love You More Foundation and Clinton County Relay For Life. There were 15 foursomes that teed off at 8 a.m. and another 15 foursomes teeing off at 1 p.m.
Total funds raised after all expenses were paid for Bailey's Bash 2025 was $20,000. That will be split between Love You More Foundation and Relay For Life of Clinton County, all in the memory of Bailey George. Since the start in 2017, the event has raised $65,000.
This was the eighth year for Bailey's Bash, but it was the first year for a golf scramble. Bailey's Bash had previously been a sand volleyball tournament and bags tournament at Hondo's Sports Bar & Grill in Bartelso.
Kari Becker speaks during the 2025 Bailey's Bash golf scramble on Saturday, June 28, at Bent Oak Golf Course in Breese. Becker is a member of the Bailey Bunch who helps organize the yearly event. Kari Becker, who is one of George's best friends and is part of the Bailey Bunch, thanked everyone for supporting the event.
"This is our first year of a golf scramble and we could not be more excited," Becker said. "It is truly amazing to see our community come out to support both Love You More Foundation and Relay For Life of Clinton County."
Becker thanked Doug Schulte and the Bent Oak Golf Course staff. She said they made it an easy transition for them this year and they could not have made the event successful without them.
Becker said George continues to be the glue to their family of friends that now call themselves the Bailey Bunch.
"There are so many countless memories of Bailey that we all love to reflect on to remember her very caring and infectious personality," Becker said. "Losing Bailey to cancer was an awful time for our friend group and especially for her parents."
Becker said they really wanted to find a way to honor George. They couldn't think of a better way than to start Bailey's Bash back in 2017 and the event now fundraises for two charities that allows them to give back as George would also do for others.
"This event allows us to support the community both locally and nationally," Becker said. "It is truly amazing to see where the fundraisers' efforts help out."
The Love You More Foundation provides assistance to persons and families affected by illness; provides scholarships to high school and university students; and provides assistance to other organizations, businesses, schools, or persons through donations of money, service, time, and supplies; and spreads love and joy to those in need, while carrying on the legacy of George. The Love You More Foundation is headed by Craig and Shelise Zurliene.
Austin Meissner provided the musical entertainment during the 2025 Bailey's Bash golf scramble on June 28. Becker also talked about the American Cancer Society and Clinton County Relay For Life.
"In life, we are all affected by cancer directly and indirectly," Becker said. "It is a horrible disease and American Cancer Society Relay For Life brings together passionate supporters who embody the American Cancer Society vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone."
The Relay For Life unites communities to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to cancer, and raise funds to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and patient support to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
"I know living in a small community it can be easy to wonder how we can make a difference in a small community," Becker said. "However, without funding for research, we wouldn't be where we are in cancer research today."
Relay For Life of Clinton County will be Friday, Aug. 1, at Central Community High School in Breese.
Austin Meissner provided music during the scramble. There were basket raffles available all day.
The team of Matt Kueper, Patrick Hawthrone, Jeremy Kampwerth and Brad Kamp-werth won the A flight in the 8 a.m. session. The team of Ryan Winkeler, John Antonacci, Kourtney Knolhoff and Amanda Antonacci won the B flight.
The team of Mick Hunter, Doug Schulte, Sue Schulte and Candace Williams won the A flight in the 1 p.m. session. The team of Kyle Kohnen, Zach Peek, Trent Rieger and Tanner Imming won the B flight.
There were 24 basket raffles. The winners were Alan Meissner - bourbon basket; Ryan Goergen - golf basket A; Katie Toennies - dental basket; Luke/Michele Brown - Emily Etter photo session; Haley Guttersohn - Murray air fly session; Anette Meissner - lottery frame A; Kyle Kohnen - Southern Bus one day rental;, Kyle Kohnen - Patton Wealth Management cooler; Jalen Albers - Yeti cooler; Aubrey Wiegmann - golf basket B; Alexis Klein - $10 gift card basket; Emily Etter - Blues/Busch Light fire pit; Austin Meissner - Aloha cooler and more; Amanda Gebke - Lego basket; Carol Wiegmann - Olde City basket; Kyle Kohnen - golf basket C; Scott Gebke - Dairy King basket; Maddie Reckling - lottery frame B; Matt Thompson - General Mills basket; Joe Kasson - Caleb Zurliene jersey; Mick Hunter - landshark basket; Brenda Knolhoff - quilt and wine basket; Linda Tiening - Poettker golf basket; and Renee Moore - women's toolkit basket.
Bailey's Bash plans to continue with the golf scramble format. Next year's preliminary date is June 27, 2026, at Bent Oak Golf Course. That date is subject to change.
