It’s miniature golf for a maximum benefit. The 12th annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Putt-A-Round got rolling Wednesday. Thousands of people are expected at Davenport’s River Center for the event. “We’re not really great golfers but we’re having a lot of fun,” said Monica Clark, who came to play mini-golf with her friends. Clark is one of many golfers at the Putt-A-Round. For a few days, Davenport’s River Center is transformed into a 26-hole miniature golf course. Shelby Steger came out to play with her co-workers. “We’re just out here to have some fun, and to see what it’s all about, and hopefully next year we can come and sponsor a hole, and get our name out there even more,” Steger said. It costs a little more than a typical mini-golf game, but it’s also not a typicalcourse. Each hole is designed and sponsored by a local business, and the money all goes to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. The organization’s president and CEO Jay Justin says this year, he’s hoping to raise more than $70,000. “We use funds really to make sure that the mentoring matches that we make have the greatest impact on the academic and social performances of the kids,” Justin said. The idea behind the Putt-A-Round is to get people out for a little healthy competition, while at the same time, letting out their inner child. “I think we all remember going mini-golfing with our parents, grandparents, friends….Hopefully we’ll inspire and motivate them to maybe say, hey, maybe I should step up and become a mentor to a child in our community,” Justin said. The players say its the cause behind the game that makes it worthwhile. “I know that they do a great job with the kids, and that they’re really influential in the children’s lives… We wanted to participate in that for the community,” said Clark. “It’s for a great cause, It’s helping kids that need a mentor and need someone to guide them in their life,” said Steger. Thousands come out to play but … It’s the Quad Cities’ children who are the real winners. Local 4 News is a proud sponsor of the event.
