Tournament organizers solve problem of golf balls downtown

The balls have been selected for the First Annual Downtown Golf Tournament in Cape Girardeau and they look just like napkin rings.

The Birdie Ball Limited Flight Golf Balls are hollowed-out plastic doughnuts with a maximum flight of 40 yards.

That's as far as they'll go and they don't tend to roll when they hit the ground.

"They're perfect for hitting them in the street because they land flat," said co-organizer and city Councilman Charlie Herbst. "Some others are great in the grass but don't work as well in the street."

Herbst ordered 200 of the balls and said he's hoping for a big turnout to the event.

Tee time for the tournament is 1:30 p.m. on June 25 at the Common Pleas Courthouse Park. The $25 entry fee includes an all-you-can eat catfish buffet at the Red House Interpretive Center afterward at 3:30 p.m.

The first 100 entrants will get a souvenir T-shirt. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Red House.

Entry forms are available at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Red House and some downtown businesses.

Those interested can check out the balls at www.birdieball.com.