Golf tournament raises over $5K for animals

Niwot High School golfer Mina O'Dell wanted to do something to help animals and settled on a charity golf tournament as the best avenue. Her efforts paid off when she delivered a check to the Longmont Humane Society on June 30 for $5,120.

The tournament, held at Twin Peaks Golf Course June 24, was a 4-person best-ball scramble. "We all had so much fun golfing and laughing," O'Dell said. "After playing 18-holes of golf, we served an all you can eat taco bar lunch catered by Marco's Tacos. The top three teams received the gift certificates [as] prizes."

O'Dell came up with the idea for the tournament as part of her CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) Project for her International Baccalaureate program at NHS.

"We had more than 50 players signed up for the tournament, and many Niwot local businesses sponsored," she said. "It was a great success and I am very thankful."

Niwot business sponsors included Cimmini's, Chico's Grooming Spa, Garden Gate Cafe, Gunbarrel Import Motors, Inkberry Books, IOG Bike Fit and Consulting,

Niwot Liquor, Niwot Market, Niwot Tavern, Parascript, Sachi Sushi, The Wheel House, and 1914 House.

"I visited all businesses door-to-door, talked to the business owners to ask for their support," O'Dell said. "It was not easy, but I accomplished to have 18 sponsors for the 18 holes tee box."

"The principal of Niwot High School, Mr. Rauschkolb, brought his teacher team, as well as my girls golf teammate Kate Jones and her family team, and 12 more teams played."

O'Dell will be a senior on the NHS girls golf team next spring.