Closest to the Pin Contest to benefit local camp

LANCASTER -Test your golf skills with a chance to win great prizes and help a local camp during the Closest to the Pin Contest sponsored by the Broadway Driving Range and Lancaster Lions Club.

Golfers of all ages can stop by the Broadway Driving Range from noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 and receive their medium size bucket of balls for practice and three contest balls for $10.

When a golfer exhausts the practice balls and is ready to hit the three yellow contest balls, he will proceed to the tee designated with the Lancaster Lions Club banner. A spotter from the Broadway Driving Range will mark the yardage and determine who is closest.

The first place prize is a Callaway Golf Bag, the second place prize is a $25 gift certificate to the Broadway Driving Range and a dozen Callaway Golf Balls, and the third place prize consists of a pass to play at the Lions Camp Badger’s first tournament. The tournament will be held at the Bristol Harbour Golf Resort Sept. 20 and includes lunch, dinner, golf, cart, and the opportunity to win numerous prizes; valued at $95.

In the third year of Closest to the Pin Contest, a new charity was chosen.

“We chose the charity that ties in with the tournament that’s in September to raise funding for all the kids that can’t afford the costs to go to camp,” Irene Colvin, president of the Lancaster Lions explained.

All proceeds of the contest will go to the Lions Camp Badger, a camp that offers structured recreational and “experiential learning” camping programs for youth with special needs and their siblings, ages 8 to 21. The purpose of the camping experience is to provide experiences where each young person can explore nature, discover their own interests and abilities, experience new adventures, practice social and life skills, but most importantly make new friends and have fun, according to lionscb.org.

The camp, located at 725 LaRue Road, Spencer, N.Y., also offers distinct week-long summer programs for campers with and without disabilities to build greater self-awareness, confidence and independent skills while providing their families and caregivers a break from the demands of constant care. Lions Camp Badger is unique because it also provides a week at camp for soldiers and their families who are returning home with difficulty transitioning into civilian life.

“The Lancaster Lions are supporting Lions Camp Badger because it impacts all our youth, and the support for Lions Camp Badger has become a District 20 project,” Colvin said. “We are part of District 20 which encompasses all of New York State and Bermuda."

If you think you have what it takes, the Broadway Driving Range is located at 4367 Broadway, Depew.