BBBS rolls out 18th annual Putt-A-Round in QC

The “par-tee” has begun.  The 18th annual Putt-A-Round event –  a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley (BBBS) to help mentor children – continues today and Friday, Feb. 10. Shifts begin at 3 p.m. today, and 11:30 a.m. Friday. The event, held in downtown Davenport at the RiverCenter, is expected to […]

The “par-tee” has begun.  The 18th annual Putt-A-Round event –  a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Mississippi Valley (BBBS) to help mentor children – continues today and Friday, Feb. 10. Shifts begin at 3 p.m. today, and 11:30 a.m. Friday. The event, held in downtown Davenport at the RiverCenter, is expected to draw 1,500 people and hopes to raise $100,000 to help area children, said Jay Justin, president and CEO of BBBS  of the Mississippi Valley. While helping coordinate events on opening day on Wednesday, Feb. 8, Mr. Justin said he was pleased with how the Putt-A-Round event was going. During the opening hours, hundreds of people were already crowding into the RiverCenter to take on the putting golf course. 

“We want people to think about the kids and their needs. … We created this to bring back memories of when they were kids, playing mini golf and going to get ice cream afterwards,” he added. The four-day event features 23 custom designed and built miniature golf holes made by sponsors of the event. Among the sponsors and golf hole creations are:

• Hole 7 by HD Supply has a ramp going up into a toilet. The golf balls go up the ramp, drop into the toilet and out a pipe. There is also a sign stating “Warning Piranha Pond” in front of a plastic container filled with water and a few small goldfish.
• Hole 6 by the Davenport Noon Optimist has a golf hole surrounded by 14 U.S. flags.
• Hole 10 by the RIA Federal Credit Union was decorated with many $100 bills. However, a closer look showed that each bill had the phrase “For Motion Picture Use Only” on them.

• Hole 23 by Valley Construction includes a large John Deere 35G excavator machine, a remote-control toy bulldozer and a hidden feature – a toy gopher, inspired by the movie “Caddy Shack,” that pops up on the green. Valley workers said it took them about four hours to put their Hole 23 creation together.

In addition to the golfing, the event “includes food prepared by area restaurants, a cash bar, great music, and numerous contests and drawings for cash and donated gift items. Bring your own putter if you want or use one provided, and pick your colored ball. Then you're ready to roll,” according to the BBBS website.

On Wednesday, BBBS volunteers  – most wearing t-shirts starting “It’s time to par-tee” – were helping the golfers get through the 23-hole course. Most golfers appeared to be enjoying the day. By the evening shift, a party atmosphere filled the space.  “It’s a good time for a good case,” said Jim Anderson of Davenport, who already had three holes-in-one in the first nine holes of the Putt-A-Round. “My daughter was helped by (BBBS) back in the day.” Many other golfers also said they wanted to attend the Putt-A-Round to help BBBS. “We’re here to support a wonderful organization,” said Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms as he finished Hole 6. “I’m here with a bunch of friends. What a great way to support this organization.” Several event sponsors said they were at the Putt-Round also to help support BBBS and its work. For instance, Maria Osterberg, regional director of business development with Legat Architects of Moline, was busy helping golfers through Hole 9. She said this is the second year Legat has taken part in the event, and the company is happy to help a great cause. “We just want to support the community. This is a super fun event for us,” Ms. Osterberg added. The 18th annual Putt-A-Round is presented by Quad City Area Realtors and Khaliq Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.