Wabeek Hosts Chaldean Golf Open

By Cal Abbo

On July 28, the first ever Chaldean Golf Open concluded as Sam Yono finished up his final putt on the 18th hole and took home the hardware.

The tournament was several days long and made a few different eliminations and cuts until the final day, which featured fierce, back-and-forth competition between Yono, Ethan Mukhtar, and Jonathan Kello.

Wabeek’s golf course is well-known as one of the most difficult and beautiful in metro Detroit. On a sunny day, the views and aesthetics are impeccable. Such was the case on July 28 as dozens of fans came out to form an ambitious viewing gallery.

Carlos Hesano, one of the organizers of the tournament, invited the Chaldean News to the final day of the tournament to witness a historic finish. For Hesano, this tournament was the first of many. While there were some individuals that helped subsidize food costs, there was no major reward for the winner, which is something Hesano plans to add through sponsorships in the following years.

Hesano and his crew host another tournament, called the Chaldean Cup, in which two teams face off against one another. This competition is growing, but it doesn’t test individuals against one another. Last year, the winning team had more than 20 players.

The group wanted a way to test the very best that the Chaldean community has to offer. The tournament featured no handicaps, which meant players faced off against one another outright. In addition, you must have an index of 10 or less to participate. Only top-tier golfers were allowed.

Hesano and his friends hope to expand the tournament in the coming years and invite anyone eligible to participate in 2025.