ROCHELLE – Fairways Golf Course was hopping on Tuesday during the 49th annual Rochelle Chamber of Commerce Golf Play Day fundraiser. The event included 18 holes of golf, lunch, prizes and activities spread throughout the round.
The outing not only helps provide revenue for the chamber, but also serves as a way for members of the community to get out and network with other people and businesses.
“We do this event every year, not only to have a fun day out here on the course, but there is a lot of business done out here,” said Tricia Herrera, president of the Rochelle chamber. “We always say at the chamber that we want our members to interact with each other.”

The event is available for any business and their employees that are members of the chamber. Each year the outing sells out the golf course, and participants of all golfing levels look forward to having a good time.
“This is my 13th year, and it gets better and better every year, its great and I love it,” expressed Jerome Benkley, TTX employee.
The chamber holds many other events for the community such as fundraisers, educational events and ribbon cutting ceremonies for new businesses. But the main goal of the golf outing is to celebrate and thank the members of the chamber.
“We get to thank our members and sponsors for coming out. It is just a day to interact and celebrate each of the members,” Herrera added. “We will be looking forward to celebrating our  50th Play Day event next year.”
Some of the funds from the annual play day go toward the annual $5,000 Curb Appeal contest and annual Rochelle Township High School scholarship program for working students.