Four Winds Field turns into 9-hole golf course for fundraising event

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- First Tee of Indiana hosts their annual golf fundraiser at Four Winds Field for a third consecutive year.

At The First Tee of Indiana fundraising event, it's all about the kids.

"We teach life skills and values and character-building curriculum through the game of golf. So, we not only introduced the lifelong game of golf, but the life skills such as honesty and integrity, perseverance, confidence. Those important things that get you through hazards on the golf course and hazards in life," First Tee of Indiana Michiana Director Jenny Zimmerman said.

"This is our biggest fundraiser for the year. So, the funds that we raise at this event help us pay coaches train coaches, help us keep our classes affordable so that everybody can come. We also believe that we should be breaking down any barriers that there are to the game of golf," Zimmerman added.

For the kids, they want to have fun in process.

"You see the one closest shot? Yeah, I shot that," event participant Jacob Kminski said with confidence.

"It bounced off the outfield and I got a birdie," event participant Clay Kaminskis added.

The Kaminskis brothers and their sister Carly, have all benefited from The First Tee organization as avid golfers.

"Somebody recommended first tee to us. And mom was like, just try it out. Like, you know some people in it. If you don't like it, it's okay. And I fell in love with it," Carly mentioned.

That love has allowed her to now volunteer for the event.

"It's an event that happens yearly for all of us and how we can all see how much we've improved over the years because of this event," First Tee volunteer Carly Kaminski added.

It's giving everyone the chance to help raise money and try out an untraditional course.

"You'll go out to nine different tee boxes. They're located above seats on the concourse, what number nine is behind home plate are actually on top of home plate. And then we've got golf greens painted out onto the field and you hit to different targets," Zimmerman said.

"You'll have a different yardage for every shot, you'll have a different target for every shot. We have a scoring system where you can make anything from a hole in one to a double bogey," Zimmerman added.

For more information on the event and the organization, visit.