Anthem
Days puts putting in the fore
Short range golfers to compete in American Putting
Classic
by
Chris Moore
ANTHEM - "This will be Fun with a capital F," said Steve
Boyle, special events coordinator for the Anthem Community Center,
describing the myriad things to do, eat and experience this weekend
at Anthem Days. But most of all, he's looking forward to some golf.
Golf with a small "g," that is.
This year, Anthem Days is "putting" a new event on its
schedule, one that will allow you to play a round of golf without
using a cart, a wood or an iron- and your legs won't get tired from
walking. It's called The American Putting Classic, which according
to Boyle is "an 18 hole golf course on a 10 foot by 28 inch
course." And you don't even have to bring your own ball, just
a dollar.
That's the "greens fee" for The American Putting Classic:
$1, and with that you get a raffle ticket to win Wal Mart gift certificates,
a foursome at Anthem Country Club and other prizes. Proceeds will
go to the AZDance Group in Anthem, a nonprofit contemporary ballet,
jazz and modern dance company, volunteers from which will be staffing
the event at Anthem Days both Saturday and Sunday.
Golfers registering to play will receive a scorecard, putter and
ball, and proceed to play their round on one of six imitation grass
overlays. Each putting surface has only one hole, but for each of
the 18 holes of the round the "tee" will be changed to
a different spot and the break of the green will be modified electronically
for direction and degree so that putting each hole will require
a different stroke. The putting mat even has simulated hazzards-water
on one side of the hole and a bunker on the other.
"This isn't like miniature golf," Boyle said. "You're
going to have to know what you're doing. This is actually a very
challenging and realistic course."
Boyle estimated it would take participants about 5 7 minutes to
complete the course, and he hopes people will play more than one
round. Only one putt is allowed for each hole and the holes are
designated with various pars. A successful putt scores a birdie
(one under par) and a missed putt scores a bogey (one over par).
Golfers can putt the courses all day Saturday, April 8, and until
2 p.m. Sunday to qualify for a chance to play in the championship
at about 3 p.m Sunday. When players finish their round and turn
in their scorecard, they will be notified if they have beaten the
qualifying score and, if so, invited to the American Putting Classic
championship.
"If I wasn't working that day," Boyle commented, "I'd
be on the course all day long."
If you don't have to work this weekend, there's plenty to keep you
amused on the other side of that giant golf ball near the entrance
to Anthem. This year Anthem Days includes a 5 k race, three on three
basketball tournament, Scottish Highland Games, hot air balloon
rides, the Frazier Show Carnival and lots of stuff for the kids,
not to mention all the food and music by Lee Coulter and ProMusica
Arizona, among others. And if it seems like things are getting a
little hectic, you can relax with a round of golf.
Anthem Days is April 8 and 9 at Anthem Community Park, 41703 N.
Gavilan Peak Parkway in Anthem. For more information call (623)
879 3044. |
