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SALEM, S.D. — A Baltic man was named the winner of the McCook Country Club “Chase the Ace” fundraiser that pooled upwards of $550,000.
The fundraiser finally come to a close Aug. 11, after almost three years, with a pot that tallied more than $45,000 larger than previous estimates provided by staff.
Jason Robertson, of Baltic, won the pot, taking away "somewhere north of" $275,000 after the last drawing on August 11. He was announced winner via a Facebook post by Logan Roth on August 11.
Robertson was not present at the time of the drawing and attempts to contact him were unsuccessful, however, management stated, "He has been paid."
The fundraiser started in 2019 as a way to raise money for remodeling the clubhouse. Held only during the 11-week golfing season — April through September — staff rounded up an impressive $6,000 pot in the first season.
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After shutting down as COVID-19 began to rapidly spread across the United States in early 2020, the club decided to start the fundraiser back up again once the 2021 golf season came around. With no winner in their second year, the fundraiser kicked up once more in the spring of 2022.
As multiple strong storm systems, including the May 12 derecho, swept McCook County over the summer, more plans for remodels surfaced after the some of the country club's buildings were damaged or destroyed.
According to Trent Sabers, manager of the club, the earnings will go toward rebuilding sheds and a shop that were blown down. The rest will go toward new bathroom installations in the clubhouse and other "much-needed" maintenance to the golf course.
Though there aren't currently plans to reset the game again next year, Sabers left open the option to kick off another round if future fundraising needs arise.
