The fog rolled in early over Silver Bay Golf Course on Monday morning, but it didn’t dampen the spirit of the Lake County Chamber’s Annual Fall Golf Classic. Instead, it added a layer of mystery to the fairways and an extra challenge embraced by teams from across the region.
With laughter echoing through the mist and Mulligans flying, the 2025 scramble became more than a competition. It was a celebration of community and the kind of camaraderie that thrives even when visibility is low.
“It was just a little bit foggy, and it started clearing up towards the end of the day, but it was still a nice event,” said Audrey Nelson, a Marketing Coordinator at North Shore Federal Credit Union (NSFCU), a major sponsor of the event for several years. “There were a lot of people there. I believe they had a full roster.”
Nelson has been with the credit union since 2020 and, a non-golfer, took up her station at the NSFCU’s booth. She reported that everyone was in really good spirits, despite the fog, and there was a lot of enjoyment to be had.
“It’s always a really fun event,” she said. “All the golf scrambles are always really fun events. Plus it helps support the local golf courses and just be involved and part of the community.”
As teams made their way through the 18-hole course, the energy was unmistakably local. The scramble format kept things light, with each foursome strategizing their way around Silver Bay’s fairways, often with a Mulligan or “20 Feet to Cheat” packet in hand.
“Everyone was having fun,” said Nelson. “There were different businesses represented from the Two Harbors area, the Silver Bay area, even some people from Duluth came up. I think it was fun to see so many different people come together for a fun event. The chamber always does such a good job of putting on fun events like this to celebrate the local businesses.”
From the first tee to the final raffle draw, sponsors showed up in full force. Major names had their logos riding shotgun on golf carts, while promotional booths turned tee boxes into networking hubs. To many, it wasn’t just about visibility. It was about showing up for the community, putting faces to names, and reminding everyone that local business is more than just storefronts. It’s about relationships, support, and having some fun along the way.
Nelson expressed a “big shout out” to the Silver Bay Golf Course.
“Norma and her team always do such a great job and it’s always very well organized. We’ve worked with them on past events out there and they are always awesome hosts,” she said.
“Norma” is Norma O’Leary, Silver Bay Golf Course’s general manager, who has been working at the golf course for 35 years.
“I know that Norma had a team out there golfing yesterday,” Nelson said. “It’s always a pleasure to work with the golf course, too, they deserve a lot of credit.”
Nelson encourages people to become members of the chamber, mentioning Janelle Jones and “her team” as great support in helping to promote local businesses.
“The chamber is always doing such a good job of promoting our local businesses and hosting events like this to get the people who work at the local businesses involved,” she said. “I know that being a part of the Lake County Chamber has really helped North Shore Federal as a business.”
Whether offering mini-games, branded giveaways, or just a friendly hello, sponsors helped shape the day’s rhythm. Their presence was proof that in Lake County, business and community aren’t separate lanes. They share the fairway. As the leaves begin to turn, the Chamber’s classic reminds us that connection never goes out of season.
