Eden Prairie Lions Club tees up for charity

The Eden Prairie Lions Club is swinging closer to home this year for its second annual Charity Golf Tournament, scheduled for Monday, Aug. 14, at Bent Creek Golf Club in Eden Prairie.

The event was revived by the Lions Club in 2022 at Dahlgreen Golf Club in Chaska, 16 years after the tournament was last held there.

“They always had it at Dahlgreen,” said Terry Eggan, the golf committee chairman. “But we were fortunate to move to Bent Creek. Dahlgreen is a great course, but having it in our hometown is important.”

When Eggan became Eden Prairie Lions Club president in 2021, he did so with a goal in mind: to attract younger members to the club. Reviving the golf tournament was one way he sought to accomplish this.

Eggan hopes the tournament will become an annual tradition.

“Schooner Days and the golf tournament are the two biggest fundraisers for the Lions Club,” said Eggan, who finished his one-year term as Lions Club president earlier this summer. “And we have the Corn Feed, the Pancake Breakfast and the Fourth of July beer (sales). We raise most of our money in the summertime. Then that money is 100 percent donated to different charities and organizations.”

What’s planned

Eggan said this year’s tournament promises to be even more exciting, with increased prize offerings, including four Hole-in-One contests, with chances to win $10,000, $15,000, a Hawaii vacation, and a Carnival Cruise package. Cash prizes for teams include $1,000 for first place, $800 for second place, $500 for 18th place, $400 for 19th place, and $200 for last place. Dinner will also feature raffle prizes.

“We don’t want people to think that only the best golfers are going to come out ahead,” Eggan said. “Everybody hopefully comes home with something.”

He is looking to fill out the field of 36 teams, each consisting of four players (minimum age 18). There is still room for a few more teams.

The foursome fee is $540, or $135 per person, and includes Shotgun Start and Scramble, 18 holes, a cart, dinner, and more contests and prizes than last year.

Nancy Vest, who helps market the event, said Eggan designed course prizes to be accessible to all players.

“It’s not only about the big things that are harder to achieve,” said Vest, who is Eggan’s wife.

Eggan emphasized the fun aspect of the tournament, stating that it was designed to be enjoyable for everyone. He noted that a skilled golfer will perform trick shots on the 16th hole.

“It’s a scramble, so you don’t have to be a good player,” he said. “You can rely on the others you’re playing with.”

The Eden Prairie Lions Club, known for its philanthropy, donates all proceeds from its fundraisers, including the Charity Golf Tournament. It supports many worthy causes, such as the MN Lions Gift of Sight Eye Bank, the MN Lions Hearing Foundation, Can Do Canines, and True Friends Camp Eden Wood, a special needs children’s camp.

“It’s summer; it’s fun. Where else can you have this much fun and support (so many good causes)?” Vest said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Check-in starts at 11 a.m. on Aug. 14, with the shotgun beginning at 12:30 p.m. Cocktail hour is at 5 p.m., and dinner, awards, and prizes start at 6 p.m.

Teams and individuals interested in participating or sponsoring a team can find more information at eplionsgolf.org. For sponsorship inquiries, contact Louis Wendling, president of the Eden Prairie Lions Club, at wendlingfg@aol.com.