Mini golf lends maximum help
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By ANNIE ZELM
Balancing an umbrella in one hand and a golf club in another can be tricky.
But at least 200 golfers proved they were up to the challenge Wednesday afternoon as they crowded along the green at Cedar Point. Despite a steady drizzle, the 17th annual Miniature Golf Challenge drew a record attendance, event coordinator Judy Kinzel said.
A total of 53 teams participated in the four-person scramble, and 36 area businesses sponsored a hole for $50 each. Together, the golfers and sponsors raised about $8,500, Kinzel said.
The event has collected $136,000 for charity over the course of its 17 years. The money assists the Firelands Chapter of the American Red Cross with its programs, including disaster assistance, volunteer development, First Aid training and water safety training.
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Kinzel said golfers continue to come each year — some traveling from Cleveland, Toledo and Pittsburgh — to enjoy the company of others.
“It’s become kind of a rite of spring,” she said. “People meet, greet each other and catch up after they haven’t seen each other all winter.”
Peggy Gebelle, who formed a team with her sister, Nancy, and employees from Ritz Hypnotherapy, said their only game plan was to have fun and hope for a steady aim.
“We just hit it and hope it goes in — and we get very excited if we get a hole in one,” Gebelle said. “You’ll hear us screaming all the way across the golf course.”
Seven-year-old Savanna Boals took a shot at her first round of golf with the help of her father, Tim, and her 10-year-old sister, MacKenzie, who participated last year.
“I like the ones where you have to hit really hard,” Savanna said after passing through a particularly difficult round where golfers had to navigate their ball over a steep valley. “It’s fun.”
Charity Schafer, who joined a team with fellow members of the Fraternal Order of Police, unit 17, said she did much better than expected.
“I got three holes in one, and I’m not a golfer,” she said. “(Our team) is averaging two strokes per hole.”
With just a few holes to go, officials called the game shortly after 6 p.m., when the afternoon showers progressed to a downpour. Golfers took shelter inside the Challenge Park arcade, where they were treated to hot dogs, soft pretzels and calzones.
Some said they would have continued golfing anyway.
“At this point, we’re already wet, and we were doing great,” said Connie Lamb, who participated with a team from Firelands Regional Medical Center. “Each of us got a hole in one, so now we can go home.”
Joan Mayo, who golfed with her son, Patrick, said the weather did offer one unexpected advantage.
“By the end, your scorecard’s kinda wet,” she said, “so it’s not as legible.”
