34 teams participate in Kow Pasture Klassic

NEW HAMBURG, Mo. -- The Kow Pasture Klassic at New Hamburg is a golf tournament that does not use golf balls and encourages finding other ways than golf clubs to hit the ball. There are some scoring rules, but no one seems too sure what they are, nor really cares.

The event is hosted by Schindler's Tavern. Owner Rick Lawson said about 34 teams had paid the $100 entry fee this year. The money plus donations and proceeds from a table full of goods for auction will be split between the Kenny Rogers Center and needs of the veterans at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

This is the 26th year of the Kow Pasture Klassic, which former Schindler's owner Cy Glueck thought would only last a few years. It was started to help repay the Kenny Rogers Children's Center for helping a couple local youths with developmental disabilities. The center does not charge parents for such help.

Glueck is remembered for his smiling, constant dedication to this event. He died a few weeks before last year's event, and was selling tickets even during hospitalization. Glueck owned Schindler's until 1987.

The grassy hill behind Schindler's and adjoining St. Lawrence Church was divided into nine holes, each marked with a beer can. The Cape Girardeau Elks supplied flags for the event. A lagoon hazard was in the middle of the course. A tree hazard was on the final hole.

Tennis balls are much easier to deal with than regular golf balls on this once-a-year course. Most participants used golf clubs, but some used tennis racquets, hockey sticks and metal ball bats. At least three used potato guns.

The guns are homemade from plastic pipe that use compressed air and a sudden-release valve to shoot a tennis ball in some cases more than 100 feet.

Veterans were honored at a noon ceremony.

Production of Schindler's bologna burgers was moved outside for the event. Last October, USA Today named the best burger in each state, and Schindler's sandwich took top honors for Missouri. It consists of a 12-ounce beef patty, a thick slice of bologna, fried onions and peppers.

Pertinent address:

1029 State Highway A Benton, MO 63736