LANSING - Area residents can play golf and help a great cause at the same time from July 14-16.
The 3 Course Challenge, established by Lansing entrepreneur Chris Holman, will be held to benefit the Sparrow Foundation’s Coaches for Kids Fund and Athletes for Kids.
And there’s plenty of money to be won by those who compete.
Holman said in the tournament’s three years, the cash purse has doubled to $20,000 and he expects those numbers to increase, as well as the quality of competition.
“We hope, in coming years, as we extrapolate what we want to do, we’re hoping to have this purse to $50,000 in the next two or three years,” he said last week at the Country Club of Lansing, 2200 Moores River Drive. “With the kind of progress we’re making now, that looks very achievable. And, at that point, we really feel we’ll be getting some people into the tournament as observers as well and maybe fill some of that void for the necessity of a competitive golf tournament (in Lansing).”
The field will be filled by the first 36 two-person teams to register.
But Holman cautions that prospective players don’t have to be serious competitors. Holman said anyone who wants to be a part of the tournament shouldn’t hesitate, as the field will be divided based on golfing strength after the first day of play.
“Flighting will take place after the first round, which will give everybody an opportunity,” Holman said. “We don’t want to leave anybody with the impression that you have to be a zero handicapper to get involved in this thing and actually maybe win some prize money.”
Money isn’t the only prize to be won. Those who achieve a hole-in-one could win a Mercedes or a Cadillac.
As the name of the tournament dictates, the challenge will take place at three different courses. Not only will the scenery be different, but Holman said the format of play for each course will vary, too.
Day one is a golf scramble at Timber Ridge Golf Course, 6672 State Road, followed by an alternate-shot game at The Majestic at Lake Walden, 9600 Crouse Road in Hartland. The final day of play will be at the Country Club of Lansing with a best-ball competition.
But the best part of the challenge is its goal - to help Coaches for Kids and Athletes for Kids, two nonprofit charity organizations.
“The whole concept of Coaches for Kids is to build a separate pediatric waiting room and emergency room (at Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital),” said Duane Vernon, co-chairman for Coaches for Kids. “As we all know, the sights and smells and sounds of an emergency room are not very pleasant and it’s not a place for kids to be. The concept started way back with coach Nick Saban - the former Michigan State football coach - and we started out with Nick’s Kids.”
After Saban left MSU for Louisiana State in 1999, a meeting was held and Vernon said support was unanimous of the athletics department to help the Sparrow Foundation and to reach the goals of the hospital - making Coaches for Kids and Athletes for Kids possible. MSU coaches, like men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo, football coach Bobby Williams and hockey coach Ron Mason lend support to the Sparrow Foundation with various functions throughout the year.
Register at any of the courses or by calling 487-1714.
