Library fundraiser offers hole-in-one family fun

Tee times

Family tee times for Caddy Stacks are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vt.

The cost is $5 for adults and children — or $20 for a family or group of up to six. Children younger than 3 will be admitted free.

A “Hole-In-One Event” golf party for adults will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s for people 21 and older. For $35, golfers will get 18 holes of mini-golf, drinks and snacks.

All proceeds benefit the Lawrence Public Library. Golfers can register at www.lawrencepubliclibraryfoundation.org.

So far, there aren’t any windmills or alligator mouths to aim for.

But it’s entirely possible those soon could be wheeled though the doors at Lawrence Public Library.

The library’s foundation plans an unusual fundraiser next weekend — Caddy Stacks, which will transform the library into an 18-hole miniature golf course.

Already, some of the holes created by local groups are at the library.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Dr. Dan Ranjbar, whose orthodontic practice is the event’s main sponsor. “It looks like a lot of people put a lot of time and effort into this.”

The creative juices definitely have been flowing. Giant books cover a Dr. Seuss hole that is an almost guaranteed hole-in-one, thanks to inspiration from “Oh! The Places You’ll Go.” Another is covered in tiny plant pots, creating a garden on the green.

The idea of having 18 greens run through the library came from an article in the June 1950 issue of Popular Mechanics on “Basement Golf.” It taught readers how to construct a miniature golf course in the comfort of their own home.

Three holes are being built by Lawrence High School engineering students, who are hoping to ace the assignment.

“We’re making a ramp that goes up onto a pool table and down through the random pockets,” senior Scott Brenn said.

Golfers must turn their putter around and use it as a pool cue to complete the hole. But, not all the pockets will take you where you need to be.

“Two of them are leading back to where you originally started,” junior Collin Belcher said. “Once that ramp gets in there, it’s going to be pretty intimidating.”

The foundation members hope the greens return each year.

“It is such a fun, family-friendly event,” said Gail Vick, chair of the Lawrence Public Library Foundation Board. “It is going to be an exciting new addition to the events that we host at the library.”