Softball tourney kicks off fundraising effort for proposed junior golf facility

Larry Lewis/daily Mail Wal-Mart associates and golf course personnel display the $500 check donated to the Junior Golf Project by Wal-Mart at the Snowball Softball Tournament at Twin Lakes on Saturday.

Billed as the "Co-ed Snowball Softball Tournament" with the promise to proceed regardless of weather conditions, the event was held in rather mild temperatures -- to the delight of all -- at Twin Lakes Ballpark on Saturday.

Eight teams, including entrants from Nevada, Hume, Mo., Schell City, Mo., Arcadia, Kan., and Pittsburg, Kan., competed in the slow-pitch softball tournament.

Strange Brew came out of the loser's bracket to capture first place. The Alley Cats finished second and Schell City was third.

The purpose of the tournament was to kick off fundraising efforts for the proposed Junior Golf Project.

"We had a great turnout and raised another $1,000 to add to the Junior Golf Project fund," said tournament spokesperson Tonya Cliffman, representing Wal-Mart associates.

Wal-Mart donated $500 to the fund.

The Junior Golf Project is an undertaking to provide youth of the community with an opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of golf.

The proposed facility includes a five-hole golf course, driving range and chipping green on the plot which now contains the driving range at Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course.

Added Cliffman, "We are looking forward to working with the Parks and Recreation Department and the City of Nevada to reach the goal of $10,500 needed to complete the five-hole junior course."

Wal-Mart associates extended kudos to the parks and recreation department for its work in preparing the fields for play.