
When Jay Justin took the helm of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Mississippi Valley, its fundraising efforts focused on one event – its annual springtime plant sale.
But now nearly 22 years later, its other major fundraiser Putt-A-Round is preparing to roll in for its 20th year in February. That has the nonprofit’s president and CEO awestruck at how the mini-golf event has endured. It’s also grown and rallied the community behind supporting BBBS’ youth mentoring mission.

“The lifespan that it’s had – based off an original idea that I don’t remember where exactly it came from – is amazing,” he told the QCBJ in a telephone interview this week.
Big Brothers Big Sisters will host its 20th Annual Putt-A-Round from Wednesday to Friday, Feb. 5-7, at the RiverCenter in Davenport. It’s presented by Quad City Area REALTORS and Khaliq Group of Wells Fargo Advisors. The one-of-a-kind mini-golf fundraiser attracts companies and supporters. They sponsor and design putt-putt holes and recruit dozens of teams to compete over three days of fun.
“We’ll have 1,600 people over three days,” Mr. Justin said of the upcoming event. He added that the growth “has been a gradual evolution from having two-by-fours on the floor as putt putt holes to 23 or 24 custom-designed and built holes.”
He estimated the fundraiser will bring in nearly $100,000 this year for the Davenport-based nonprofit. It has regularly grown by $5,000 a year.
Some event highlights
One of the highlights now, he said, is the Big/Little Night or Match Night. It is held the day before Putt-A-Round opens. This year’s event will be Tuesday, Feb. 4. It will involve the organization’s mentors, known as Bigs, with their youth mentees, known as Littles. The participants also are invited to vote on the favorite putting hole.
Mr. Justin, who joined BBBS in 2003, recalled the event’s simple beginnings. He and his staff and board were brainstorming for a secondary fundraiser. The popular idea of the day – host their own golf tournament – was suggested. After deciding there were already too many such events to compete with, he said “We decided we needed to find some kind of signature event that reflects our brand.”
Having learned of mini-golf tournaments playing in the skywalks of downtown Des Moines and at the Chicago Art Institute, Mr. Justin said BBBS strived to create an event sized somewhere in the middle of those two. And Putt-A-Round was born.
Originally held outdoors at a putt putt venue on Kimberly Road in west Davenport, he recalled moving to the Isle of Capri in Bettendorf for a few years before calling the RiverCenter its home. Volunteers and sponsors transform the RiverCenter – which donates the space for free to BBBS – into an indoor mini-golf course with 24 uniquely designed and themed holes each year.
“It’s also evolved into a business expo, but a fun one,” Mr. Justin said. “Now we have all these QC companies building holes – most branded to their companies” – and bringing in their staff to meet with participants. “The companies get a lot of exposure from it and the employees have fun (running the holes).”
Mentors, 280 teams sought
The three-day event also allows BBBS to promote its need for mentors and other events including the plant sale and Over The Edge. That fundraiser sends supporters rappelling over the edge of the Hotel Blackhawk in downtown Davenport.
According to BBBS, this year’s goal is 280 teams participating. As of Thursday, Jan. 16, staff said they had more than 150 teams already signed up.
But there is still time to register and join the fun. Early bird tickets are $30 per person or $120 for a team of four. After Monday, Jan. 20, prices are $35 per person or $140 for a team of four.
Participants are encouraged to register early to secure their spot and be entered into our early bird drawing. Prizes include four Mississippi Valley Fair Fun Cards and four tickets to the Martini Shake Off.
To get involved, register as an individual or a team. To become a sponsor, visit here, or contact Kylie Wise, events & marketing coordinator, at [email protected].
“It’s just fortunate, its lifespan has been so long,” Mr. Justin said.