PHOTOS: Richfield Optimists' Hole in One Contest Raises Money For Area Youth

Not familiar with the Richfield Optimists? Well, you may see members on holidays such as the Fourth of July and Memorial Day placing American flags in front of homes and businesses. Or maybe you've heard of its annual Chili Feed that takes place in the winter. However, the main mission of the Richfield Optimist Club is to raise money for Richfield kids.

As part of that mission, this weekend the club is holding its 43rd Annual Leif Holter Hole in One Contest fundraiser at the Richfield High School Athletic Fields on 70th Street and Lyndale Avenue to raise money for its kids programs.

For $2 you can get a bucket of seven golf balls and for $10 you can get 6 buckets to attempt to hit a hole in one. There are refreshments and hot dogs available for purchase with proceeds going to the organization. There are also prizes and activities for kids.

Among the many things that the Richfield Optimists do for the community youth is their “No Kid Left Indoors” program that aims to get kids into nature. The clubs also provides many other personal development opportunities for the youth of Richfield such as an essay contest and oratory contest for middle school students to participate.

“You need a lot of different avenues for leadership opportunities,” said Mayor Debbie Goettel, who was visiting the Hole in One fundraiser in support of the Richfield Optimist Club Saturday afternoon.

Residents who don’t golf but still want to support the Richfield Optimist Club can bring aluminum cans down to the fields on Sunday. The group recycles them and uses the profits for their programs.

The last day of the fundraiser is Sunday, with the contest running from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.