Miniature golfers to battle it out

A national championship in the short game is coming to a new Riverview course, where organizers hope to benefit children.

RIVERVIEW - Maybe your birdies don't come as easily as Tiger's. Maybe enviable scores like 6-under 274 and 1-under 283 elude you. And perhaps a $6-million purse is the stuff of your dreams.

But you, too, can putt for the title of champion. And a flight to Sandwich, England, won't be necessary.

The Harris Cup, a national miniature golf tournament with a $10,000 purse, comes to the 4-month-old Ace Golf range in Riverview next month.

While the event isn't traditionally a charitable one, local organizers are using the tournament's first appearance in Florida to raise money for local schools.

Proceeds from sponsors will go to eight area public and private elementary schools: Boyette Springs, Ippolito, Bevis, Lithia Springs, Alafia, Cimino, Peppin Academy and Mary Help Christian Academy.

Other beneficiaries include SERVE, which recruits and coordinates volunteers for Hillsborough County schools, and the West Coast chapter of PGA of America, which brings golf lessons to schools.

Exactly how much the schools and organizations gain will depend on how many businesses join Ace Golf Range and LeaderBoard of Tampa as sponsors. Sponsorship packages range from $200 to $3,000 for a title sponsorship.

"If we get $1,000, we split it 10 ways," said Steve Hughes, manager of the Ace Range in Riverview. "If we get $20,000, we split it 10 ways."

Tournament organizers say sponsors will benefit from having their signs up for much of next month at Ace's Riverview and Brandon ranges, where local qualifying rounds will be held starting Nov. 3.

The local individuals with the four lowest scores advance to the Nov. 23 final, joining more than 40 confident putt-putters from across the United States who have emerged as the best minigolfers from local competitions in their respective hometowns.

They're all hoping for a piece of the purse: $5,000 for the top finisher, then $3,000, $1,250 and $750 for the players whose scores put them in the next three spots.

The Harris Cup is played around the country on courses built by the New Jersey manufacturer. Last year, it was held in Statesboro, Ga.

This year's tournament will showcase the 13-acre Riverview range, with its tropical landscaping, waterfall and fountains that spew blue water.

Hughes said that because his business depends on families in the surrounding area, he felt strongly about making sure the tournament gave something back.

"The youth drives this business," he said. "And this is a great way for the entire community to get involved in something that helps the area."

- Shannon Colavecchio-Van Sickler can be reached at 661-2443 or svansickler@sptimes.com

The Harris Cup Championship Finals will be played Nov. 23, starting at 9:30 a.m. Local qualifying rounds will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 3-6 at Ace Golf's courses in Brandon and Riverview.

Local qualifying finals are Nov. 9 at the Riverview minigolf range, starting at 6 p.m. The lowest four scores advance to the Championship Finals. Pick up application forms at Ace Golf in Brandon and Riverview, area Beef "O' Brady's and Chick-fil-A restaurants; and at Alltell Wireless stores. For information, call 672-7750 or visit www.harriscup.com or www.ace-golf.com