The 12th Red Neck Miniature Golf Tournament was held on Sunday in and around Deweese. Sixty-five teams participated on the beautiful February Sunday; with numerous others stopping by to bring donations; bid on silent auction items, etc. The day was filled with laughter, conversations amongst neighbors, friends and new acquaintances, tears for those fighting the battle now and those who have lost the battle; all while funds were being raised for St. Jude Research Hospital; and, for cancer patients of Brodstone, Superior; Morrison, Hastings; and, Nebraska Cancer Specialists, Hastings and Aurora. One hundred percent of the funds raised go to these recipients, all expenses of the event are donated.

The flag prizes were determined by a volunteer randomly calling out numbers. If your number was called, you were one of the lucky ones.

The golf winners were determined by each team rolling a dice to place them in their flight; and then rolling two dice for placement. The smaller the roll, the better the placement.

Championship flight: first –Michelle Galaway and Cliff Young 216; second –Alex and Conrad Koehler 217; third – Monty and Kathy Koehler 223.

1st flight: first – Scott Friend and Shane Evans 236; second – Doug and Connie Porter 232; third – Devin Anthony and Ashton Graham 210.

2nd flight: first – Jason and Tara Drudik 228; second – Les Marsh and Bonnie Melton 223; third – Kevin Armes and Bob Boyer 261;

3rd flight: first – Adrian Martinez and Harrison Galaway 229; second – Rick Ingram and Denise Blair 260; third – Chris Shuck and Rita Engel 323.

4th flight: first – Mike and Kristy Wolfe 269; 2nd – Mark and Donna Jurgena 226; 3rd – Karisa Troester and Emily Crow 325.

5th flight: first – Tommy and Taylor Heineman 192; Jenny Gilbert and Alaina Brown 210; LaVerne and Carol Brittain 223.

Poker: We randomly chose the three hands to be paid.

Championship flight: (3 of Kind) first – Suzie Kluver A's; second – Randy Harms Q's; third – Lyle Mertens Q's; fourth – Lisa Jameson Q's.

1st flight: (4 of Kind) first – Alex Koehler A's; second – Brady Hinrichs 8's; third – Harrison Galaway 6's; There wasn't a fourth 4 of Kind. We randomly drew from other players, fourth – Gerald Buschkoetter 9,9,5,4,3.

2nd flight: (Straight) first –Jennifer Simpkins 8 High straight; second – Michelle Galaway 7 High Straight; Troy Smith 7 High Straight; Kristy Wolfe 6 High Straight.

The Split the Pot was won by Drew Hubl and Lisa Wright.

Devin Anthony prepares to shoot as the target goes around for the 12th Red Neck Miniature Golf Tournament held on Sunday, Feb. 18,in and around Deweese.

Thanks to all the sponsors, golf course hole designers-hosts, kitchen chief-helpers, auctioneer-help, club house set up-take down and all of the generous participants and guests who donated their winnings back to the cause; as well as buying silent and live auction items. As the saying goes: It takes a community to raise a child – in this case, it takes a community working together to have a successful fundraiser.

Mark your calendars for next year's tournament: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.