Rain Clears, Carts Roll: Glenview Open Drives Record $15K+ for Children's Hearts

MORTON GROVE, Ill. — The Fourth Annual Glenview Open charity golf outing teed off at Chick Evans Golf Course on Saturday, September 13, 2025, bringing together 72 golfers, dozens of volunteers, and the support of 26 local and national sponsors. By the end of the day, the event had raised a record-breaking $15,094 for The Children’s Heart Foundation, marking the outing’s most successful year yet. The morning began with steady rainfall, but as if on cue, the skies cleared just before the carts rolled out for the shotgun start. “It couldn’t have worked out better,” said co-founder Alex Przybylo. “We went from rain to sunshine just in time for everyone to hit the course.” On the scorecard, the team known as the Back 9 Bandits — Glenview residents John Zeigler, Charlie Emme, Jeff Mitchell, and Joe Emme — took home first place. Their win earned them the Glenview Open Cup, which they’ll hold for the next year, and a prized foursome at Sunset Ridge Country Club. But for Przybylo and his longtime friend and co-founder Drew Hauber, the real victory was the fundraising milestone.
“Saturday was a very special day,” said the founders. “We cannot thank our players, sponsors, and donors enough for contributing to the success of the outing. We look forward to future years!” Theouting was the brainchild of long-time friends Alex Przybylo and Drew Hauber, both of Glenview, who started the open in 2022. The inaugural outing raised $5,000 for The Children’s Heart Foundation. In 2023, that figure increased to $8,000. The third annual open in 2024 hit $10,000. This year’s $15,094 nearly triples the original total. The tournament also relied on its largest volunteer group yet — 12 helpers — to manage contests, raffles, and operations throughout the day. The connection to the cause runs deep for Hauber, who was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent three open-heart surgeries before the age of three. “Drew is a heart warrior,” said Przybylo. “His story is a big part of why this outing means so much to us and to everyone who participates.”
Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defect, affecting one in every 110 babies. Yet, according to The Children’s Heart Foundation, research in this area remains significantly underfunded. Since its founding in Illinois in 1996, the Foundation has contributed nearly $20 million to congenital heart defect research and collaborations. The 2025 outing offered more than just 18 holes of golf. The day kicked off with a “mega putt” contest, where all 72 golfers lined up across the fringe and putted simultaneously toward a single hole. The winner took home $600 from the $1,200 pot. On the course, players also enjoyed a 50/50 drawing, games, and sponsor activation. After the final putt dropped, the celebration continued at The Shack Indoor Golf Club in Glenview, where Riobamba Latin Kitchen served tacos. Raffle prizes kept the excitement going, with items including a Caleb Williams Chicago Bears signed jersey, a Patrick Kane signed photo, a Cole Kmet signed football, Cubs tickets, liquor baskets, golf bags, a Chicago Auto Pros gift card, and more. Sponsors played a crucial role in the event’s success, with contributions from organizations both large and small. The Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and ABT headlined the list, alongside local favorites such as Ballyhoo Hospitality, Riobamba, The Shack, Whiskey River, Spiro’s Deli, Viccino’s Pizza, and Forza Meats. “The local support is unbelievable,” Hauber said. “It shows how much our community rallies around this cause.” The outing has become a highlight on the community calendar, drawing not only golfers but also supporters who want to be part of a growing local tradition. “I always enjoy playing The Glenview Open at the public course,” said one participant. “It’s competitive, but at the end of the day everyone knows we’re here for something bigger.” For those who could not attend, the organizers encourage making a tax-deductible donation directly to The Children’s Heart Foundation. “Your support is appreciated, and we look forward to seeing you next year,” said Przybylo. Almost all marketing for the outing runs through the event’s Instagram account, @GlenviewOpen, where future updates will be posted. With four years in the books and a fifth already on the horizon, the Glenview Open continues to prove that a simple idea shared between two longtime friends can grow into a powerful community movement.