TEEN CHALLENGE TO HOLD GOLF TOURNAMENT

Mid-America Teen Challenge is offering a chance to get in all the golf you've missed this summer during their third annual Golf Marathon Oct. 13.

The event allows golfers to play all day and raise money for Teen Challenge. It will be held at the Cape Girardeau Country Club.

The goal is for each golfer to play 100 holes between sunrise and sunset. "It sounds impossible," said Jack Smart, executive director of Teen Challenge. But in three previous marathons, no one has come up short.

Golfers collect pledges based on the number of holes they complete to raise money for Teen Challenge.

In addition, businesses are being asked to sponsor holes for the event at $300 per hole. A sign with the name of the sponsoring business or person will be placed by the tee box or green.

Every golfer has his or her own cart. "We encourage that golfers not even stop to eat," Smart said. "We have food available to eat in the carts."

In order to get all 100 holes in during one day, a few rules are bent. For example, on shorter par 3 holes, golfers may hit several balls at once.

Smart said the event offers lots of fun in addition to lots of golf, but the main purpose is to raise money for the Teen Challenge ministry.