Putt Putt Fore A Difference benefiting United Way of Central Kansas this past Sunday was a great success, said Julie Bugner-Smith, UWCK executive director.
“I want to thank Chris Battin and the marketing students Aaron Sanko, Zach Reynolds, Derion Burnside and Michael Gouby for taking on this project,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed working with these fine young men and appreciate all the effort and organization they did to raise money for United Way of Central Kansas.”
Smith said Battin was instrumental in making this project happen with his busy schedule, and he went above and beyond.
The event took place Sunday afternoon at the Walnut Bowl in Great Bend.
Last year, the event consisted of only a putt-putt contest. This year, the students brainstormed with representatives from the United Way, the Walnut Bowl, the city and other area business people to amp it up a bit.
“The event was pretty basic, and we came up with ways to spice it up and make it more exciting – opening it up to more ages,” Sanko said. This is called “expanding the target market,” Reynolds explained.
 This year, teams of three players each competed for cash prizes of $25, $50 and $100. In order to get more businesses involved, there was also a traveling trophy presented to the business with the highest number of teams competing.
The City of Great Bend, through Community Coordinator Christina Hayes, donated the use of giant yard games. Winners received gifts from sponsors, including gift certificates from Pizza Hut, The Buckle, Waters True Value and the United Way.
There was also music and a horseshoe throwing contest.
This year, the UWCK has set a fall fundraising goal of $250,000 to help fund 21 member organizations in Barton and Pawnee counties.