Putting puts Punxsutawney predictions to good use

By Tony Lascari

Area residents tried to take their minds off Punxsutawney Phil's prediction of six more weeks of winter with a night of indoor golf on Saturday.

Rob Ekeland, of Midland, was one of those who tried their shot on the portable putting course set up at Valley Plaza for the Shelterhouse fundraiser dubbed the Ground Hog Open, which drew about 100 people.

"I'm hoping that six weeks of winter is it," Ekeland said. "I'm sick of winter."

He had not played mini gold in a long time, but wanted to support Shelterhouse, which works to eliminate domestic and sexual violence by providing advocacy, education and shelter for people in Midland and Gladwin counties.

"It's unfortunate that it's a necessary place, but it's a good resource to have," Ekeland said. "It's got to be there as a refuge for people who have to escape a relationship."

Michelle Revete, of Bay City, said the organization provides great resources for the community.

"I know someone who had domestic violence issues and we wanted to come out and support the organization," she said.

She didn't have a strategy for the mini golf tournament, despite having practice from a recent trip to another course around Christmas. "It didn't help," she said as she golfed.

Those who did putt well on the fifth hole of the course got the chance to be the one person who putted for $10,000. As the game began the banquet hall was filled with cheers of golfers who made good shots, by luck or by skill.

Money raised from the event will be put toward the organization's new endowment fund. The goal is to raise a total of $2 million that could be used for ongoing support of the organization.

The theme of the event tied into Punxsutawney Phil's weather prediction based on seeing his shadow. Sharon Mortensen, executive director of Shelterhouse, said it was a chance to try a new event.

"In the winter months people are looking for fun things to do," she said.

Although Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Saturday, predicting six more weeks of snow and cold, a competing mammal psychic disagreed.

The forecast from Gen. Beauregard Lee, Punxsutawney Phil's southern rival in Lilburn, Georgia, was for an early spring. The General did not see his shadow Saturday morning at the Yellow River Game Ranch.