YOUTH SPORTS A FOOTING OF CITY'S NOON CLUB

Picture this: grown men chasing glow-in-the-dark golf balls across a golf course in the dark of night. It may sound unusual, but it's also worthwhile.

The Noon Optimist Glow-Ball Tournament is one of the various activities sponsored by the 55-member Noon Optimist Club of Cape Girardeau. The tournament raises money to benefit the youth tackle football league, which is one of the club's major programs.

According to club President Craig Billmeyer, the club members have a common interest in youth sports.

"The members' average age is in the mid-30s," said Billmeyer, "so a lot of these guys have kids who are involved in sports soccer, baseball, basketball.

"We do other things, too, but the youth sports end of it is the common thread in our club. That's basically what we lean toward."

Other club activities, in addition to many of the traditional international programs, include an indoor soccer league, sponsorship of Boy Scouts and an Octagon Club, sending delegates to Boys' State and the Freedom Forum and donating funds for playground equipment. They also hold social events, such as annual fishing trips.

Formed in 1980, the club was chartered with 35 members. The roll has been as high as 150 members. The club in the past has been involved in such activities as a sponsoring a youth wrestling program, working with the Women's Safe House and holding teen dances.

To support their activities, the noon club sells coupon books and Christmas wreaths and, most prominently, holds Chili Day fund raisers.

Billmeyer said the time the club meets may be a selling point for many of the members.

"Many of them, like me, aren't morning people," he explained, "and the evenings are usually too hectic. Noon is a good time because everyone has to eat lunch."

Two of the club's past presidents have been given the Distinguished President Award. The club has twice been named a Distinguished Club and has four times been an Honor Club. Billmeyer said the club plans to be honored again this year.

Other officers of the club are vice presidents Paul Bearen and Jim Main, secretary Bruce Scherer and treasurer Jeff Reinagel. The club meets Wednesdays at the Victorian Inn.