The Soo Line Authority Group held its fifth annual golf outing at the Escanaba Country Club on May 28. From left are winning team member Joe Quinn; Soo Line board member Steve Viau; winning team members Jeff Bratonia, Larry Bratonia and Steve Bratonia; and Soo Line Authority President John Pickard. (Photo courtesy John Pickard)

ESCANABA — The upkeep and perpetual care of the Soo Line Steam Engine #730 in Gladstone was the real winner at the fifth annual golf outing held at the Escanaba Country Club on May 28 that raised money for that cause.

A team sponsored by the Walt Houghton Jr. family made up of Larry, Steve and Jeff Bratonia along with Joe Quinn shot 58 on the par-72 course to win by two strokes.

Team Tony Perry-Edward Jones was runner-up with 60 and included golfers Joe Powers, Kory Kuchenberg, Joe Skellenger and Anthony Perry. They’ve competed for all five years in the project that raises funds for the upkeep and lasting perpetual care of the Soo Line Steam Engine #730 located in Gladstone, which includes plans for a historical museum and welcome center.

The Soo Line Authority Group that brought the steam engine out of disrepair at the historic site in Gladstone had a long list of sponsors it thanked.

Funds are donated to the Community Foundation for Delta County, which then distributes them to the Soo Line Authority Group, an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Story contents based on a Virtual Newsroom submission from Soo Line Authority Group President John Pickard. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.