A Day of Golf for a Lifetime of Change

Volunteers for Youth celebrates 10 years of the ‘Smokin’ Hot 100 Golf Marathon’ to raise serious bucks for Rogers County youth.

You don’t have to be a Jack Nicklaus, an Arnold Palmer or even a Phil Mickelson to participate in the 10th annual ‘Smokin’ Hot 100 Golf Marathon,’ a fundraiser for the Rogers County Volunteers for Youth program. However, you must want to have fun while raising some serious bucks for the nonprofit organization. This year’s marathon is set for July 22 at Heritage Hills Golf Course in Claremore.
The marathon is a way for golfers, both duffer and low handicapper alike, to rally support while doing something they really enjoy – playing golf. So, how do you play 100 holes of golf in one day? The golf rules are modified a bit to allow a golfer to finish 100 holes by mid-afternoon, if you get a good early start.
Speaking of early starts, you get a free breakfast at sunup followed by the shotgun start, usually around 6:30 a.m., according to Executive Director Mendy Stone. “That way we can beat the heat,” she says.
What’s so fun about playing golf in July? Well, for starters, you get the golf course to yourself with approximately 18 other participants who have the satisfaction of helping Rogers County Volunteers for Youth in a big way.
According to Mendy, “One hundred holes of golf in a day is very doable.” Many golfers in past marathons have played more than that. “In fact,” she adds, “our youngest golfer last year, Andrew Vanaman – who was 13 at the time – had to be forced to quit.”
To speed up the play, golfers have their own cart, play at their own speed and may request a cart driver. Golfers may also hit multiple balls from tee boxes, and each ball counts as one hole played. In addition, says Mendy, “We play ‘ready golf’ with a maximum field of 18 golfers.”
You also don’t have to look for lost balls, OBs, etc. Just drop another ball and keep hitting – balls are provided. Whenever your score on a hole reaches triple bogey, pick up, score the hole as completed, and move on to the next hole. Golfers may also play any hole, or series of holes, in any order as many times as they want. Also, on the green, any putt inside the leather is a “gimmee.”
“We also add in Longest Drive, Closest-to-Pin and Most Accurate Drive contests,” she adds.
    So, how can you get involved? Each golf participant agrees to sponsor him or herself for at least $1 per hole. “Your $100 donation is payable in advance and is tax deductible,” says Mendy. Then, you must solicit sponsorships from business associates, family members and friends with an achievable goal of raising an additional $19 per hole—that amounts to $2,000 per golfer.
“A one-time pledge or a per-hole pledge is completely acceptable,” says Mendy, “and most of those who are asked to help say, ‘yes.’”
For the past eight years, Judi Mrasek has been declared the marathon winner by raising the most money. “Last year, Judi raised more than $10,000,” Mendy says. “Last year, Judi won a mobile hot spot and the monthly fee for a year for being the top fundraiser.”    
In addition to a free breakfast, the $100 self pledge gets you a free lunch and continuous refreshments, plenty of golf balls to smack around and the opportunity to earn some great prizes. “One should not even think of this event as a golf tournament,” says Mendy. “Golf is just the vehicle that allows us to bring together folks with a heart for the work we’re doing. Money is raised because golfers and non-golfers alike can participate by self-sponsoring, seeking matching pledges and playing lots of golf.”
All proceeds from this event go to Volunteers for Youth programs. To enter the marathon or sponsor someone else, email eat0@eau0eav0eaw0 or call 918-343-2530. Volunteers for Youth is supported by the Rogers County United Way.

For more information, contact

Volunteers for Youth

1700 S. Lynn Riggs Blvd. #A

Claremore, OK 74017‎

(918) 343-2530

eat0@eau0eav0eaw0