Sophia Nikolic of Clark poses with Cat in the Hat at the hole inspired by him.
CLARK, NJ — Clark Public Library was transformed into a miniature golf course by Friends of Clark Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 4. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., families competed in the “HOLE” Lot Of Fun Miniature Golf Classic, a 15-hole golf game where participants came to support the library’s organization.
“This is our second golf outing that’s been successful,” President of Friends of Clark Public Library Karen DeMarco told LocalSource in an interview on Feb. 4.“We got the idea when a company who organizes miniature golf games as fundraisers emailed us. We decided to bypass the company and do it ourselves.
We sent out letters to everyone in town and invited them to sponsor and create a hole. The proceeds of the event will go to the organization, which offers community programs to the people at the library.”
Hole One was created by Arthur L. Johnson High School’s hockey team and sponsored by Daunno Realty. There was a hole by Friends of the Public Library designed in honor of the “Cat in the Hat,” sponsored by Platinum Plating Specialist.
“My favorite hole was the one with the books,” Joaquin Plaza of Clark told LocalSource in an interview. “It was easy because there were crates with books on them to hit the ball.”
Parents and children all enjoyed themselves at the event.
“This was a great way to break up the monotony of winter,” Natalie Whalen of Clark told LocalSource in an interview. “It’s great to help the library and be in the community.”
Two girls scouts from Troop 41407 were at the event with the hole they created. The girls decided to write their troop number on a chair and tie balloons on it.
“We like to watch golf,” the girl scouts, Shealyn Zawacki and Kendelle Menzo of Clark, told LocalSource in an interview. “The balloons are just for decoration.”
The girls planned to golf after they watched some golfers and celebrated a job well done. There was a healthy dose of sibling rivalry at the event, as brothers and sisters kept score with the mini pencils and scorecards donated for the game.
“We’re just learning how to play,” Nicole and Matthew Kotula of Clark told LocalSource in an interview. “We’re having fun.”
Lastly, a family that both sponsored and created a hole was playing a game of golf. They used their son, Lucas, as inspiration.
“We decided to incorporate Thomas the Engine into the hole because Ethan absolutely loves him,” Ashley Boccella of Clark told LocalSource in an interview. “We got involved because we come here for a lot of events and thought this was a really nice idea. We love golf.”
Their hole was sponsored by Boccella Tutoring and had train tracks with Thomas the Train leading the way to victory.