Tom Henihan
Express Staff
Approximately 200 spectators gathered at the sandy beach on the bank of the Little Smoky River to watch the 5 Star Golf Club, Duck Race fundraiser, which has be annual event for over a decade.
The riverbank, lined with golf buggies with many of those attending sitting in deck chairs by the water, watching a dozen people in three motor boats retrieve the ducks from the water as they raced along with the current.
The response to the Duck Race event was immediate and enthusiastic as this year all one thousand ducks sold 36 hours ahead of the deadline.
The money raised goes towards enhancing the facility of 5 Star Golf Club. Last year funds went to improving the children’s playground and now the committee is looking at renovating the clubhouse and restaurant.
To enter the Duck Race cost ten dollars and three prizes are award. The first place winner received $1,200, second $500 and third place $300.
“We have the river here so we might as well use it,” says event organizer Louise Bastien. “There are some concerns about putting a thousand duck in the water but last year we retrieved all but 5 of the ducks after the race. A few were taken out of the water up at Vermillion and they knew where they came from so they sent them back to us.”
5 Star is a par 32, 9-hole golf course located in the wooded environment of Little Smoky River Valley. The facility has many permanent, seasonal trailers and cabins and a strong sense of community that also welcomes vacationers and day golfers. 5 Star can is accessible from highway 49 on Township Road 760 at Guy.
