Skywalk Golf Classic returns

Though snow covers the greens at Waveland and other area golf courses, there is no need to put your putter away. On Saturday, Feb. 2, The First Tee of Greater Des Moines will kick off its inaugural year of solely producing the downtown tradition, Skywalk Golf. Golfers are encouraged to register early at www.skywalkgolf.com for only $30 per person until Jan. 28, $35 per person after.

Tee times are available beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 2. With registration, each golfer receives one round of golf (18 holes), an official 2013 Skywalk Golf Classic T-shirt and a souvenir golf ball to use for play. Also, with any adult registration, one child (12 and under) may golf for free.

“New this year, there will be a 19th Hole Party at the new downtown Des Moines establishment, The Gramercy Tap,” said Steve Vaught, marketing chair of the event. 

Golfers are required to bring their own putters to the event but will be provided scoring cards, pencils and T-shirts during onsite registration. Two courses are available in the skywalks this year.

Skywalk Golf is a fun, wintertime, downtown tradition perfectly timed during the lull of the winter blues. This year, the event proceeds will benefit The First Tee of Greater Des Moines.

“We are able to handle parties from one to four,” said Vaught. “We’ll pair different teams, so teams may be teeing off with others. Plan on about an hour to complete the course.”

Volunteers are also needed for setup, registration, scoring and teardown duties. Sign up to volunteer at www.skywalkgolf.com. All registered volunteers will receive an official Skywalk Golf Classic T-shirt.                

Although it’s a cool bonus and a commemorative token, participating in the Skywalk Golf Class is not just about the free T-shirts. The event benefits a greater cause as well, The First Tee of Greater Des Moines.                

“The mission of The First Tee of Greater Des Moines is to impact the lives of young people around the city of Des Moines,” said Vaught. “We do so by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. We’re always looking for volunteers and donors for our summer coaching programs, too.”                

More information about the event and programs can be found at www.thefirstteegreaterdesmoines.org.

Locker Room note: Head over to the Bucs Arena this weekend and get more than your typical full-contact (with a side of aggression) show from the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team. The players will be sporting their new John Stoddard Cancer Center jerseys, which will be available for auction, with 100 percent of the proceeds going toward cancer research. The Bucs will go stick-to-stick with Team U.S.A. on Saturday, Jan. 12. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m. CV