SIKESTON -- It's mid-September, the fall sports are in full action as the air begins to show signs of cooling down. Soon the leaves will be changing colors as autumn arrives. However, inside you flip through the sports channels only to see Tiger Woods hoist up his sixty first PGA Tour title while capturing the FedEx Cup. Thinking to yourself "Hey, I can do that."
The Sikeston Lions Club is giving local golfers their chance in the 3rd Annual Nine-Hole Day and Night Golf Tournament at the Sikeston Country Club this Sept. 22.
"We encourage all ages to come and enjoy the entertainment," Lions Club Chairman and tournament coordinator Allen Small said, "This is the third year we've had this tournament and we invite everyone to come out to make this year a great success."
The tournament will be broken up into two different sessions of play with an intermission in between each session where dinner will be served to all the golfers. Tee time will begin at 4 p.m. as players will make their way through nine holes of long fairways, smooth greens, and the occasional bunker. The first nine holes are played during the daylight session which will end at 6 p.m.
Dinner will then be served at 6:30 p.m., outside at the pavilion, catered by Burch Foods of Sikeston. The scheduled feast, which is included with the entry fee, will end around 7:30 p.m. as players will begin to prepare for the glow in the dark night session.
After dark play will begin at 8 p.m. as the golf course will be lined with glow in the dark strips along the greens and fairways. Light up golf balls will be brought out during this second session of play, which is also included with the entry fee, so you don't have to worry about losing your ball in the rough. "If you have never played glow ball golf then you will have quite an experience," Lions Club President and tournament participant Judy Hobbs said, "It is an absolute blast, there is nothing like it."
The annual event is non-profitable and all proceeds will benefit local organizations such as the Kenny Rodgers Children's Center, the YMCA of Southeast Missouri, as well as the Lions Club national eyesight foundation program.
"This is one of the Lions Club's major fund raisers of the year," Hobbs said, "We deeply encourage all to come join in on the fun and help this great cause become a tremendous success."
The tournament is set for 27 teams and each team will consist of two players. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in the form of Pro Shop Award Dollars. First place will receive $150 while the second place team will get a $100 and the third place team will receive a $50. These dollars can only be spent in the Country Club's Pro Shop. Teams that place fourth, fifth, and sixth will also be awarded some consolation gifts.
The entry fee for the tournament is $100 which covers green fees, dinner and glow balls for night play. If you are interested there are still spots available and you can register at the Sikeston Country Club Pro Shop.
For more information contact Allen Small, tournament coordinator at (573) 258-0846 or Kevin Collins, from the Sikeston Country Club at (573) 471-1866.