For the seventh consecutive year, Kirkwood Forest Golf Club showed up to support the Links for Lafayette charity golf tournament. This year, we brought three teams to Norwood Hills Country Club to celebrate Lafayette Industries’ 50th year of creating meaningful employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The tournament usually calls Sunset Hills home. With that venue undergoing a remodel, Norwood Hills gave us a new stage, a demanding East Course, and plenty to talk about long after the final putt.
The cause behind the scorecards
Before the round, we caught up with former Lafayette Industries Executive Director Rob Libera. Rob first connected with the organization in 2003, bringing his packaging industry experience to work that helps people with disabilities find meaningful jobs. He described Lafayette’s growth from one facility with 185 workers to three facilities across two counties and programs now supporting more than 450 people.
Rob spoke about the pride and independence that come with steady work, drawing on his family’s experience with his nephew, a jazz musician with Williams syndrome. He said proceeds from Links for Lafayette have helped fund 60 full-time jobs over the years. His thanks to the KFGC crew and “The Commish,” Tom Grossman, made our seven years of participation feel especially personal.
Norwood Hills East: stay out of the rough
We’ve played enough tournaments here to know the East Course asks for careful targets. Sloping fairways and elevation changes make several tee shots more complicated than they first appear. Blind approaches lead into elevated, well-guarded greens. The rough was thick, and the greens were moving quickly in afternoon heat that reached 94°F.
Ric’s pro tip: Don’t try to muscle a long club through that rough. Take a lofted wedge, get back to the fairway, and give yourself a clean look at the green.
Three KFGC teams in the mix
Our first KFGC foursome—Rick McGadget, The Commish, Laggin’ Larry, and new recruit Tim Mitchell—posted a bogey-free 55. An eagle on the eighth helped us to a 27 on the front; a 28 coming home put us at 14 under and tied for third in gross scoring with Treat Planet.
Matt “Bandit” Wegmann, a proud KFGC member, played with his daughter Becky Keim, son-in-law Brian Keim, and son Matthias Wegmann on the St. Louis Specialty Tape team. They took second in gross scoring. Shade Libera, Johnny Seapines, and their group rounded out KFGC’s three teams for the 2026 event.
Back in the clubhouse
After 18 holes in the heat, the field gathered for food, drinks, and a silent auction. The memorabilia included a signed Chiefs championship plaque, a Kurt Warner Rams helmet, and framed photos signed by David Freese and Mike Shannon. The auction and the golf both served the same purpose: supporting Lafayette’s employment mission.
Thank you to the businesses and individuals who helped support the event, including platinum sponsors Schneider Electric, SFW Partners, and Treat Planet; Colton’s Cause, Piros Signs, Bill Florent, Behlmann Buick GMC, and Tech Electronics; and the hole and clubhouse supporters named in the tournament program.
Why we’ll remember this one
A 55, a tough course, and a day with our friends would have been plenty of golf memories. Rob’s account of what the tournament has helped build gives the day its lasting meaning. KFGC has kept showing up for seven years, and this was another chance to connect our game to work that matters in our community.
Learn more about Lafayette Industries →
We returned to support Lafayette later in the month at its Casino Night fundraiser.