The Great Lakes Children’s Museum in Traverse City is hosting their inaugural Golf for Great Lakes Kids! at Bahle Farms in Suttons Bay on Friday, May 13.

There will be a shotgun start at 1 p.m., and prizes will be awarded for closest to pin, longest drive and lowest score overall. The Great Lakes Children’s Museum golf fundraiser will be followed by a celebratory BBQ dinner.

In addition to fun twists like a booster bag with two mulligans, there may even be a pro or two on the course who will be willing to take a shot for you in exchange for a donation to the Great Lakes Children’s Museum. Register here for the Northern Michigan event.

We chatted with Lisa Pointe, the museum’s development and events director, about the golf scramble fundraiser and what participants can look forward to.


What’s the inspiration behind this event?

“At the Great Lakes Children’s Museum, we are all about encouraging children and adults to explore the world at their own pace and in their own way. Children learn through play, and what better way to engage the adult community in that mission than through playing a game of golf on one of the most beautiful Northern Michigan courses. An added benefit of this event is that it’s on a Friday afternoon so you can gather up some colleagues, clients and friends and have a wonderful kickoff to your weekend all while supporting the area’s only interactive and engaging children’s museum.”

Is a certain skill level required to participate, and are kids invited?

“There is no skill level required to participate in this fundraiser, and that makes it all the more fun. A huge part of the Great Lakes Children’s Museum’s mission is to impact all local children and their adult caregivers. We try to remain true to that philosophy in everything we do, so naturally we are excited to hold an event that is inclusive of people of all skill levels. While there are no restrictions on children on the course, this particular fundraiser is geared toward adults.”

Will the donated money be used for a specific project or exhibit at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum?

“We actually have quite a few exciting, new projects that the money raised at the golf event will be used for. The reconfigured Building Bridges exhibit is scheduled to be finished before the end of summer, the Lighthouse exhibit is scheduled for a complete overhaul before the end of this year and with the help of a few key local sponsors, we are on track to introduce our first rotating theme exhibit in the spring of 2017.

“In addition, we are excited to be offering expanded programming for our Discover With Me toddler-caregiver sessions, and leadership opportunities to children ages 10-18 through our Youth Commission and Youth Volunteer Taskforce starting this spring.”

What makes this golf event unique?

“This particular golf event has some exciting twists available that you might not have seen at other events including ‘Chance Cards’ for purchase. To understand Chance Cards, think Monopoly. They might move you to the nearest green or the nearest hazard. They might let you swap with the best ball in the foursome, or you might have to swap with the worst ball in the foursome. They might give you a hole in one or automatically give you a double bogey. You never know until you open the card whether it will improve your standing or add a new challenge to an already fun game.”

What will be on the dinner menu?

“The menu includes caesar salad, BBQ chicken, BBQ ribs, red skin potatoes, baked beans and a dessert.”

Is there anything you’d like to add about the event?

“It is an anomaly that a community of this size has been able to support a children’s museum for 15 years. It is only through the extreme generosity of community members who believe in what the museum provides to area children and families that the museum is still here offering opportunities for all to learn through play.”

To stay up-to-date on more great kids’ news, sign up for the free, monthly Kids Up North Newsletter!


More Northern Michigan Kids

#2016 #Grand_Traverse #Traverse_City #Leelanau #Suttons_Day #Events #Give_Back #Kids

Photo(s) by Bahle Farms