Eden Prairie Lions Club gears up for annual charity golf tournament

The Eden Prairie Lions Club is preparing for its annual charity golf tournament, which will be held on Monday, August 5, at Bent Creek Golf Club, 14490 Valley View Road.

This year’s event for teams of four, ages 18 and over, promises a mix of camaraderie, friendly competition and unique experiences, all aimed at raising money for charity.

The Lions Club, known for its philanthropy, donates all proceeds from its fundraisers, including the Charity Golf Tournament. It supports many charities, including the MN Lions Gift of Sight Eye Bank, the MN Lions Hearing Foundation, Can Do Canines and True Friends Camp Eden Wood, a camp for children with special needs.

Terry Eggan, the tournament chairman, says this is the third year the event has returned after a 16-year hiatus.

The tournament will be a shotgun start and scramble format, with 18 holes, a cart and dinner included. Top prizes are four hole-in-one awards: $10,000, $15,000, a vacation to Hawaii and a vacation to Pebble Beach. Smaller prizes for foursomes are as follows: first place foursome, $1,000; second place, $800; 18th place, $500; 19th place, $400; and last place foursome, $200.

“We are bringing serious entertainment and world-class firepower to the tournament this year,” said Eggan.

A notable feature this year is the return of Ian Griscom, a professional long driver known for his impressive 400-yard drives.

Griscom will be stationed at a 500-yard hole where players can pay to use his drive. “Players can pay to use his 400-yard drive, and if they can chip into the cup, they win a $5,000 trip to Pebble Beach,” Eggan added.

“We didn’t talk about him much last year because it was his first time at the event and we didn’t know what to expect,” added Nancy Vest, who helps market the event. “But he ended up being really entertaining for everyone. They got to see a real pro in action and play his shots. This year we’re promoting it more because we know people really enjoy it and it adds an exciting extra element to the tournament.”

New this year is a silent online auction, open to players and the public. Bidding opens on July 22 and runs through August 11.

Auction items include Delta Sky 360° tickets to a Vikings game (with food, drinks and Vikings gear), tropical getaways to Puerto Plata, Puerto Morelos, Riviera Maya, Mazatlán and Cozumel, and a flight in a rare Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog.

“We’re always looking for ways to make the event as enjoyable as possible for everyone, but we also want to keep in mind that the goal of the Lions is to raise money, all of which goes to a good cause,” said Vest, who is married to Eggan. “We hope that the online auction will bring in more dollars for the organizations that rely on the Lions to support each year.”

While the tournament has some extravagant prizes, it is designed to be inclusive and fun for golfers of all skill levels. “One of the things we want to emphasize is that people don’t have to be great golfers to participate,” Vest said. “Even the worst team can win $200.”

Eggan added: “There was even someone who tried to be the worst for a year.”

The cheerful atmosphere is further enhanced by the return of the Chick-fil-A putting contest, where participants can win a year’s supply of Chick-fil-A sandwiches by hitting a putt. Last year’s winner was Mark Thompson.

Mayor Ron Case will once again serve as honorary chairman and Red Moon Asian Cuisine is the main sponsor.

Eggan and Vest said more teams are needed to fill the tournament. They are also looking for additional sponsors and more items for the online auction.

“We welcome donations of tickets, vacation homes, timeshares or other unique experiences,” Vest said of the auction opportunities. “If someone has a skill, like being a chef, they can donate a meal. These types of experiences are popular for silent auctions. Whether it’s an experience or a valuable item that someone no longer needs, donations like these can make a big difference and be greatly appreciated by others.”

The entry fee is $140 per person or $560 for a foursome. Participants can register at eplionsgolf.org.

Tournament check-in begins at 10:30 a.m., with a shotgun start at 12:00 p.m. Cocktail hour follows at 5:00 p.m., with dinner, awards and prizes at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, contact Eggan at 612-386-1051 or via email at [email protected].