The first ever Minot Optimist Club Youth Golf Classic, sponsored by Murphy Motors Next to New and KMOT was held Sunday, August 1, 2010 at the Jack Hoeven Wee Links Golf Course.
Children from ages four to fourteen participated in a nine-hole golf scramble. It was a fabulous day out on the course as little golfers hit the links to learn more about the game of golf. Parents walked with their children, along with an Optimist Club representative. Even grandparents spent the day walking along with the teams, enjoying the sunny day.
All children received a t-shirt and certificate for participation and prizes were randomly drawn for items such as flat screen tv's, Wii game systems, laptops, golf balls and bags, and various other items. Morelli's Distributing provided water, Wee Links provided pizza and Pepsi kept the coolers plentiful with soda for all! Parents were even put into a drawing for a driver provided by the Minot Country Club.
Optimist Club event co-chair Candace Brekke was excited about the great turn-out.
"It was our first year for the event, and the support we've received from local businesses and the community has been great! We're so happy to provide a great day of family fun, regardless if the kids are familiar with the game or not," she said.
The tournament had a limit of 72 entrants and filled up a few weeks before the event. Participants came from Minot and the surrounding region, including Velva, Burlington, New Town, Max and Devils Lake. Skill level varied from kids who play the game often to those that had never golfed before. Optimists encouraged the kids to just have fun, but hoped they learned a little about golf at the same time.
"We've got such a great opportunity in Minot to use the Wee Links Course. Hopefully they can take what they've learned here and use it when they get older," said Jason Soine, Chair of the event.
Soine added, "We couldn't have done it without the parents' participation and encouragement. Hopefully next year we can build on it and possibly even hold two rounds for more players."
The Minot Optimist Club provides youth opportunities throughout the year and build on the club's motto, "Bringing Out the Best in Kids."
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!!
Tourney Sponsors
Optimist Club of Minot, Murphy Motors Next To New, KMOT
Hole Sponsors
Dr. Tifany Burckhard-Teets, Town and Country Credit Union, Cell Solutions.com, Caribbean Color, Bremer Bank, Jost Construction, Minot Country club
Half Hole Sponsor
1st Western Bank and Trust, United Blood Service, Tires Plus/Jerome's Collision Center, Integrity Viking funds, Thomas Family Funeral Home
Sponsors
Pepsi, Jack Hoeven Wee Links Golf Course, Morelli's Distributing, Prairie Federal Credit Union, SRT, Prudential Preferred Properties, Farmers Union Insurance, Linda Luedke, Holiday Inn Riverside, Paradise Spas, Gate City Bank, Scheels All Sport, K-mart, Dr Bob Nyre, M & I Dealer Finance, American Financial Services, Teri Tingley/Avon
If you are interested in donating to this event next year, please contact
Jason Soine: 838-2222 or
Candace Brekke: 857-7205
View the KMOT coverage here.