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LEWISTOWN -- One thousand golf balls. One target. A summer evening filled with live music, prizes, food and community fun.
Lewistown Country Club’s Sixth Annual Ball Drop Fundraiser returns Friday, bringing one of the area’s most unique fundraising events back to the No. 9 green.
Doors open at 5 p.m., and at 6 p.m. up to 1,000 numbered plastic golf balls will be released from the Junction Fire Co.’s bucket truck, creating a scramble of anticipation as participants watch to see whose ball lands closest to the hole.
Cash prizes will be awarded for the three golf balls closest to the hole as well as the three balls farthest away.
The event is open to the public and offers much more than the Ball Drop itself. Guests can enjoy live music, food specials, an ice cream truck, raffle prizes, a 50/50 drawing and numerous opportunities to win cash and prizes. Nearly 200 people attended last year’s event.
While known for its festive atmosphere and friendly competition, the Ball Drop serves an important purpose. The fundraiser raises money for projects that improve the golf experience at Lewistown Country Club and helps offset the rising costs of maintaining the course.
The event generates more than $10,000 annually, with proceeds helping to purchase course maintenance equipment and supplies. Funds raised last year were used to assist with the purchase of mowers, tractors and chemicals.
“Golf courses require constant maintenance and this event helps to defray some of the costs of that upkeep,” said Dot Fisher, LCC Membership Committee chairperson and board member. “Our committee spends months planning for the Ball Drop and when you see all these people outside enjoying the event and having fun, while raising money, it is all worth it.”
Membership Committee member Susie Cannon said investments in the course benefit not only the club, but the surrounding community as well.
“The better the course and facility the more golfers we attract both locally and from outside the area. This influx of golfers is a boon to other local businesses as well. We want to highlight the natural beauty of our area as well as the camaraderie of the local golf community,” Cannon explained.
Cannon also credited the event’s success to the many volunteers and businesses that support the fundraiser each year.
“The success of the Ball Drop is the result of many people and businesses working together to make it happen,” Cannon said. “We could not do it without the teamwork of the Membership Committee and the numerous local businesses who donate money, prizes, gift cards and more. We are so grateful.”
Entertainment will be provided by DJ Ritty (Jim Rittenhouse) followed by the band Petrified Wood. Both acts are Lewistown Country Club members donating their time and talents to the event. Area businesses have donated raffle prizes and gift cards.
Tickets are $10 each and are available through the Lewistown Country Club business office or from LCC members. Tickets will also be available until 5:45 p.m. on the day of the event. Attendees are encouraged to bring folding chairs.
For more information, contact the Lewistown Country Club business office at (717) 242-2544.