On the Town: The greens bring in the green for local groups

Nonprofit groups benefit from golf's popularity

Kristie Thompson, of Sylvania, puts across the a model of the Veterans Glass Skyway bridge at the Epilepsy Center of Northwest Ohio's 23rd annual PGT (Practically a Golf Tournament) in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Chipping in for charity is a popular way to raise funds for nonprofit organizations, and starting in May, the summer is filled with golf outings.

Three are scheduled tomorrow: the Savage golf charity tournament at Belmont Country Club, the Kids Unlimited outing at Highland Meadows Golf Club, and the Toledo Hospital outing at Inverness Club. Several country clubs are hosting ladies' golf events this summer in support of the Race for the Cure for breast cancer research, but the biggest golf event this summer is the U.S. Senior Open July 25-31 at Inverness Club.

It will donate 25 percent of the net proceeds to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio, Adopt America Network, Autism Model School, Children's Rights Council of Northwest Ohio, Toledo Area Ministries, Toledo Basketball Academy, Veggie U, and JFOCC Scholarship Fund of the Toledo Community Foundation.

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Here are tidbits from golf events that have already taken place:

Hit the Links golf outing presented by Brooks Insurance for Lourdes College was June 3 at Bedford Hills Golf Club in Temperance.

The weather and turn-out were terrific, and about $36,000 was raised for scholarships at Lourdes, bringing the grand total since Hit the Links' inception 11 years ago to $257,000.

The day started with a continental breakfast by Tim Horton's, then the shotgun start scramble, followed by lunch and awards on the outdoor pavilion. Lourdes President Robert C. Helmer welcomed everyone and introduced student speaker and scholarship recipient Nathan Kuehnl as well as presenting sponsor Brooks Insurance's Joe Leonard.

Putting around were participants in the Practically a Golf Tournament: A Benefit Putt for the Epilepsy Center. The 23rd annual event took place recently at Levis Commons on the outdoor stage and in the streets of the Perrysburg shopping center.

The putting was on 18 holes created and built over the years by local contractors, corporations, and schools, including a new one this year by students from Penta County, which was named the People's Choice. Enjoying the event for the first time was the team from Fox Relocation Services, which has transported the holes for many years and happened to win this year.

Adding to the fun was the cash raffle won by former board member Patrick Pauley, who donated the money back to the cause.

The event raised more than $6,000 and donations are still coming in. That's thanks to the golfers, the sponsors, and event chairman Sheri Bokros and her team of volunteers.