Putt Putt sees record turnout

Despite a forecast calling for blustery, rainy weather, Lincoln's annual Putt Putt mini golf tournament saw its largest ever turnout, with about 400 people in 78 teams hitting the portable links around town May 7.

In its 12th year – after a one-year COVID-19 break in 2020 – the annual fundraiser brought in an estimated $10,000 that will go to various local organizations.

Bonnie Christian, who has organized the event since its inception, had a theory about the unexpectedly high participation.

"People want to get out; they want to breathe," she said. "I think people love this event. They come from Bozeman, Butte, Helena, Havre, Great Falls, Dillon. They come from all over."

Christian said the weather, which was supposed to be rainy, has never really been a deterrent. "The first couple years they said 'it's gonna be kind of icky. what are you gonna do?" I said, 'we play, rain, snow or shine, just like a Montanan, in layers.' We've kept it that way since."

Nevertheless, she admitted she did a lot of praying to ask for better weather.

First time players Shannon and Lance Blocher of Great Falls didn't seem to have any concerns as they played their holes. "It is the best time ever," Shannon said. "I love that all of this is going to a good cause."

Tyler Erdman, also of Great Falls first came up for Putt Putt last year at the suggestion of a friend. Now he's hooked. "There's no way I'll ever miss it again."

Putt Putt has traditionally relied on bars to serve as the main venues for the mini-golf holes, Christian admitted having both the Bootlegger and Bushwackers closed, caused a little chaos. She credited the local 4H club and the other bars for helping take up the slack.

She said the 4H kids approached her about hosting a spot. "That worked out really well. They wanted to raise a little money for their club, so I said OK."

A couple of the bars were also great about helping to make sure the event kept going.

"It was a real scramble and I had to change up a lot of stuff, but it wasn't that big a deal," Christian said.

Despite the high turnout, this year's event didn't set a record for fundraising, falling short of last year's nearly $11,000 haul.

Christian said the auction items were slow to come in this year and, while they didn't get a lot of high dollar items, she felt they did well with the more low-key donations. Unfortunately, they did have one of the donated auction items walk out the door, something that hasn't happened in several years. Christian said a blue and black plaid hat donated by Lincoln Leather and Fur traders was lifted at some point during the afternoon. Christian said she's had gift certificates lifted from baskets in the past, which is why she ensures all donations are wrapped. However, the hat was a late donation that hadn't been wrapped before it disappeared.

Christian said its locals who help make Putt Putt possible every year. "There are a few who come back every year, thank God," she said. "I've had some newcomers come in. If I keep with the help, we'll be able to continue. People just need to understand, this is for our town, not for anybody else. all the help is what makes it happen."

Christian also credited Hotel Lincoln and Mountain View co-op for their help in feeding the crowd. She said the hotel cooked and brought a crew over to help serve the food. "Huge kudos to them, because that's a big plus."

Christian expects to announce the beneficiaries of the fundraiser in a couple of weeks.