Genesee Regional Chamber scores hole in one with river golf challenge
after environmentalists feared a bogey
By Elizabeth Shaw | The Flint Journal
September 4, 2008
FLINT, Michigan -- It's not easy being green, says Kermit the Frog -- but the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce has figured out a way to do it for their Hole-in-One Golf Challenge on the Flint River -- much to the relief of local environmentalists.
Flint River Watershed Coalition members were appalled when they first heard of the event planned for Thursday afternoon at the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce's Summer Wine Down, where people will hit golf balls toward a floating green in the Flint River next to the University Pavilion Rink.
"We were struck with a combination of horror, disgust, dismay and yes, anger. ... We've spent 10-plus years trying to develop an ethos of keeping foreign objects out of the water -- and they are encouraging folks to dump a bunch of golf balls into the water!" joked former FRWC executive director Jack Minore.
"I confess I may have dumped a golf ball or two into the river at Mott Park Golf Course but never intentionally."
"There was a bit of a mini-uproar around here," agreed current FRWC director Rebecca Fedewa, who admitted to disturbing visions of a river bottom coated in wayward golf balls.
"We heard about it after-hours so we couldn't call right away and find out what was really going on. Everybody was asking, 'where did we go wrong?'"
Turns out there was no need for alarm: Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce Program and Sponsorship Coordinator Mary Rodden already had all her green bases covered.
She borrowed 150 floating golf balls from a Lansing-based organization which sponsors a floating green competition on the Grand River each year during Lansing's Common Ground festival.
Volunteers with pole nets will retrieve the floating balls as they're hit into the water, Rodden said, so there's no danger of the balls settling on the river bottom or escaping downstream.
"I'm glad we're doing this in an environmentally friendly way but I'll admit out of ignorance, I wasn't really thinking about the safety of the Flint River at the time. I just didn't want to spend $400 on golf balls and leave them at the bottom of the river," said Rodden, laughing.
One lucky hole-in-one golfer will receive a free Las Vegas trip. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Flint.
Fedewa said she's hoping many FRWC members will show up and grab a club after sampling the food and drink at the pavilion.
"I can't even hit a golf ball so I'm not going to embarrass myself, but I might be there to cheer them on," said Fedewa.
"We really are very pleased they're incorporating the river into their fundraiser. Anytime people are using the river for recreation is a good thing."
Fedewa said the false alarm did cause her to scour the Internet for information on eco-friendly golf balls made of the same ingredients as dog biscuits and tees made of cornstarch that will safely decompose into the soil within a year.
"I can't imagine anyone would use biodegradable golf balls on a regular basis. Unless of course you're like Jack. Then you might really need them," joked Fedewa, laughing.
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