A hot, windy day in southwest Nebraska generated $3,768 as Black Hills Energy employees, family and friends putted for a playground. The Central Region's 4th Annual Golf Tournament was hosted in McCook, Nebraska this year on Sept. 30 at Heritage Hills Golf Course. 

The tournament, with a field of 72 golfers, supported fundraising for the new McCook Inclusive Playground through their registration as well as purchases of mulligans, a 50/50 raffle and general donations.

Participating duffers included current and former employees, family members, friends and vendors. They were treated to a BBQ lunch courtesy of Border States, as well as hole prizes from various vendors and partners. Joe Townsley with GTA Insurance Group sponsored a $10,000 Hole In One prize on the 16th hole.

Members of the McCook Inclusive Playground committee were also on site during the tournament to help host the event and provide a presentation on the playground so attendees could visualize what their donation would be creating.

Winners of the tournament were Tommy Lewis, Roger Lewis, Shawn Sandman and Adam Wright, all from Hitchcock County.

Costumes were provided on the first hole by course hecklers Laurie Cook, OSS/Kearney, and Karen Geist, warehouse manager/Kearney, and most golfers were willing participants in the costume shenanigans to provide an extra challenge to their tee-off.

Organizer Tyson Karr, service technician in McCook, comments, “I want to thank everyone who came for making the drive to McCook to come play in the tournament. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did! The money we raised will be going to support the McCook Inclusive Playground. This playground is designed to create a universally accessible and safe space for children to play. Inclusive playgrounds are designed to accommodate children of all abilities and disabilities. Inclusive playgrounds also typically have a variety of sensory elements such as music, water and sand that all children can enjoy. Again, thank you all!”

The new McCook Inclusive Playground is slated to break ground in 2025. 

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