For Gary Mantei, Don Hannah and his son Mark, the Lutheran Golf Tournament was a night of heroes.

While the daylight hours of July 23 saw 215 participants tee off at Whitmoor Country Club, it was during that evening’s oral auction that Mantei and the Hannahs were introduced to recent NFL Hall of Fame inductee Roger Wehrli. All three were longtime fans of the former St. Louis Cardinals cornerback and bid a combined $1,600 for autographed jerseys and a football donated by the tournament’s guest of honor.

“It’s wonderful that Gary, Don and Mark had a chance to meet one of their heroes,” said George Marshall of the event’s organization committee. “The irony is, through their donations at the auction, all three of them became heroes to Lutheran High School students and LSS residents.”

Overall, the event raised $70,000 to benefit LSS’ Benevolent Care Fund and to support Lutheran High School of St. Charles County’s tuition assistance programs. “So many people had a hand in the success of the 2007 tournament,” said Marshall. “We especially want to thank the 56 organizations that helped sponsor this year’s event.”

Two of those organizations fielded the day’s winning teams. Platinum sponsor/special sponsor SM Wilson took top honors on the south course, with platinum sponsor Ben Hur Construction posting the lowest score of the tournament, thanks to the efforts of teammates Jim Reiter, Brian Boettler, Randy Boettler and Jeremy Boettler.

Prior to the evening’s closing banquet, LSS’ incoming president Rev. John Kotovsky took the stand. “I want to thank all of you for your support today,” he said “Through your gifts and your generosity, you are really making a huge difference in the lives of others.”

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