This story is sponsored by Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
Mount Vernon Nazarene University Athletics is holding its third annual PAW3 Palooza on June 15 at the Irish Hills Golf Club.
Park National Bank and Wendy’s are the title sponsors, along with individual hole sponsors, for the 18-hole scramble, which will commence at 8 a.m. with registration. Participants will start swinging their drivers by 9 a.m.
“We have sold out every year and we are thankful that this event has been embraced by our community and beyond,” Coordinator of Development for the Athletic Department at MVNU Paul McNeal said.
“Last year we had teams from all over the state as well as West Virginia.”
The purpose of the event is to assist MVNU athletics in taking the burden of individual sports attending the NAIA National Tournament. Through this event, the athletic department has been able to raise $18,000 to $20,000 annually for their cause.
Giving back to the community is always a top priority for MVNU Athletics. A portion of the proceeds will also go to an organization of MVNU’s choosing. This year proceeds will benefit The Woodward Opera House and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
“The positive influence Paul McNeal and the department have on our city and community is profound. It means a lot for The Woodward Opera House to be recognized as a worthy recipient of this year’s funds,” House Manager at The Woodward Opera House Dena Hess-McKinstry said.
“The funds raised during PAW3 Palooza’s golf ball drop and donated from MVNU Athletics will go to furthering the support of the arts in our community and bringing more public events for us all to enjoy.”
MVNU athletics promises a high energy experience filled with competition, networking, fun and prizes. In the past, golfers have won cruises, a stay at Hocking Hills, Cincinnati Bengals tickets, prize money and more.
“We are thankful that we can partner with so many entities in our community. We make this a unique event with several opportunities to collect great prizes,” McNeal said.
To add to the fun, ‘closest to the pin’ winners and the golf ball drop will conclude the outing.
The ‘closest to the pin’ takes the closest ball on all four par threes of the course and brings them together for one final shot at the end of the day. If any of these golfers hits a hole in one, they win a million dollars. Prizes are given to these participants for hitting closest to the pin.
“The opportunity to hit a hole in one for $1 million is something to behold. Everyone stays after to watch this event and then our golf ball drop,” McNeal said.
Atop of a fire truck ladder, hundreds of golf balls are dropped over a hole. Tickets can be purchased that match numbers on the golf balls. The first ball to get into the hole will win a cash prize.
“The golf ball drop is an exciting way to help two great causes and have the opportunity to walk away with cash and great prizes as well,” McNeal said.
For a sneak peak of what is to come on June 15, watch the video of a previous year’s golf ball drop.
For more information, to register a team, or purchase a golf ball, visit the PAW3 Palooza website. If you have additional questions or would like information on how to sponsor a hole, contact Paul McNeal at paul.mcneal@mvnu.edu.
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