Inaugural Putt FORE Kids! Mini-Golf Challenge planned United Way event to make history, money for youth activities For Immediate Release April 4, 2007

“You want to do what?” That was the initial reaction of SportsOhio officials when United Way of Union County proposed the idea of conducting a mini-golf tournament at the facility. But surprised skepticism has given way to reality as United Way’s Inaugural Putt FORE Kids! Mini-Golf Challenge, presented by Memorial Hospital, the Gables at Green Pastures, and the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, will be contested later this month. “I've been at SportsOhio for five years and this is the first event of this type that I can remember,” said Rebecca Miller, Marketing Director of SportsOhio. “But I think it's a great idea. SportsOhio is all about family, fun, fitness, and positive experiences. This event epitomizes all of these things in addition to benefiting the community. It's a winning combination and I'm sure it will be a great success.” SportsOhio has donated the use of its course to United Way and on Thursday April 26, teams of mini-golfers will take to the beautifully landscaped facility for an evening of all-you-can-play and all-you-can-eat fun. The event will be the first of its kind in our community and is modeled after tournaments held on regulation courses. United Way is encouraging families, children, and foursomes from the office to sign up and show their skill (or lack thereof). “Every week from spring to fall, some charity is having a golf tournament,” said Shari Marsh, Executive Director of the United Way of Union County. “But what about the people who don’t like to play golf or can’t spend an entire day at an event? We wanted to do something different. Mini-golf is a game that people of all age groups and abilities can play.” Foursomes will compete for team trophies. Individuals scoring low rounds in various age groups, including children, will be awarded recognition. All golfers who score a hole-in-one will be entered into a raffle for additional prizes. A DJ will be playing music and an all-you-can-eat picnic style dinner will be served. There are no set tee times, so players may arrive at any time between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. on April 26 to be a part of the festivities. Pre-registration is encouraged and can be done online. The cost to participate is just $20 a player ($15 for children 10 and under) and includes golf and dinner. 100% of the proceeds from the Putt FORE Kids! Mini-Golf Challenge will benefit area children this summer through United Way’s unique Youth Arts and Recreation Grant Fund. Created in 2001 to increase access to art and recreation opportunities for area youth, the fund has opened doors for hundreds of children, keeping them involved in positive, structured activities and out of trouble. More than $64,000 has been awarded since the program’s inception to qualifying youth organizations, paying the participation fees for children who would otherwise be unable to afford them. Last year alone, nine organizations received United Way support via the Grant Fund, including youth baseball and softball organizations in Marysville and Raymond, a theater program at the Plain City Public Library, the Marysville Art League, the Ohio Sled Hockey Club, and a youth dance sponsored by the Richwood Area Business Association. For more information about the Putt FORE Kids! Mini-Golf Challenge or the Youth Arts & Recreation Grant Fund, including applications for grant funding, please contact United Way of Union County at (937) 644-8381.