The Eden Prairie Lions Club is gearing up for its annual Charity Golf Tournament, which will be held on Monday, August 5, at Bent Creek Golf Club, 14490 Valley View Road.
This year’s event for teams of foursomes, ages 18 and over, promises a mix of camaraderie, friendly competition, and unique experiences, all aimed at raising money for charity.
The 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 camp for children with special needs.
Terry Eggan, the tournament chairman, says this is the third year the event has returned after a 16-year hiatus.
The tournament features a shotgun start and scramble format, with 18 holes, a cart, and dinner included. Major prizes include four hole-in-one awards: $10,000, $15,000, a vacation in Hawaii, and a Pebble Beach vacation. Smaller prizes for foursomes are as follows: first-place foursome, $1,000; second-place, $800; 18th-place, $500; 19th-place, $400; and last-place foursome, $200.
“We are bringing some serious entertainment and world-class firepower to the tournament this year,” Eggan said.
A standout feature this year is the return of Ian Griscom, a professional long driver known for his awe-inspiring 400-yard drives.
Griscom will be stationed on a 500-yard hole where players can pay to use his drive. “Players can pay to use his 400-yard drive, and if they can chip into the cup, they win a $5,000 trip to Pebble Beach,” Eggan added.
“We didn’t talk much about him last year because it was his first time at the event, and we didn’t know what to expect,” added Nancy Vest, who is helping to market the event. “But he ended up being very entertaining for everyone. They got to see a real pro in action and play off his shots. This year, we’re promoting it more because we know it’s something people really enjoyed, and it adds an exciting extra element to the tournament.”
New this year is a silent online auction, which is open to players and the public. Bidding opened on July 22 and runs until Aug. 11.
Auction items include Delta Sky 360° tickets for a Vikings game (with food, beverages, and Vikings swag), tropical getaways to Puerto Plata, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Mazatlán, and Cozumel, and a flight in a rare Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog.
“We’re always looking for ways to maximize the event for everyone, but we also want to keep in mind that the Lions’ goal is to raise money, all of which goes to charity,” said Vest, who is married to Eggan. “We’re hoping the online auction will bring in more dollars for those organizations that rely on the Lions every year for support.”
While the tournament boasts some extravagant prizes, it is designed to be inclusive and fun for golfers of all skill levels. “One of the things we want to emphasize is that people don’t have to be great golfers to participate,” Vest said. “Even the worst team can win $200.”
Eggan added, “We actually had somebody try to be the worst one year.”
Adding to the light-hearted atmosphere is the return of the Chick-fil-A putting contest, where participants can win a year’s supply of Chick-fil-A sandwiches by sinking a putt. Last year’s winner was Mark Thompson.
Mayor Ron Case will serve as the honorary chairman once again, and Red Moon Asian Cuisine is the title sponsor.
Eggan and Vest said more teams are needed to fill the tournament. They are also seeking additional sponsors and more items for the online auction.
“We welcome donations of tickets, vacation homes, timeshares, or any unique experiences,” Vest said regarding auction possibilities. “If someone has a particular skill, like being a chef, they could offer a meal. These kinds of experiences are popular in silent auctions. Whether it’s an experience or a valuable item someone no longer needs, such donations can make a significant difference and be highly appreciated by others.”
The registration fee is $140 per person or $560 for a foursome. Participants can register at eplionsgolf.org.
Tournament check-in begins at 10:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at noon. A cocktail hour follows at 5 p.m., with dinner, awards, and prizes at 6 p.m.
For more information, contact Eggan at 612-386-1051 or via email at teggan@earthlink.net.
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