Putting around in Bridgewater bars for a good cause

BRIDGEWATER ― Take a swing at a golf-themed bar crawl Sept. 9 in Bridgewater.

It's the inaugural Bridgewater Open: Putts in Pubs.

Starting at 1 p.m., participants will play putt-putt golf on nine holes spread out at eight taverns/restaurants − Kelly's Riverside Saloon, The Grumpy Beaver, Mario's 410 Grille, Pier 19, Robert's Roadside, The Standard, the Wooden Angel and the new Bigham Tavern − with Boat World at 1481 Riverside Drive, rounding out the course.

"Each bar or venue builds their own custom putt-putt hole," John Kelly, of Kelly's Riverside Saloon said. "Teams travel as a foursome starting with registration at Kelly's at noon then head out to a designated bar for a shotgun start."

Entry is $200 per foursome, which covers commemorative T-shirts, free logo-adorned ball, a swag bag and free hot dogs throughout the event. Free transportation will be provided by Kelly's party bus and The Standard's Ducky boat on wheels, running in a continuous loop to transfer golfers to "distant" bars. No need to drive for the easy walk between The Standard, Boat World, Kelly's and Bigham, which has been doing pop-ups preparing for its full opening.

The golfing lasts from 1-6 p.m., after which prizes will be awarded for Best Team Name, Best Team Outfit, Best Individual Outfit, Best Team Score, Best Individual Score, Most Challenging Hole and Most Creative Hole.

Raffles and an auction also will help raise money as all proceeds from the event benefit Legacies Alive, a nonprofit that supports Gold Star Families, which supports families who lost a loved one in military service. Legacies Alive, chaired locally by John Dudo, will provide volunteers to monitor each of the Bridgewater Open's nine golf holes.

An after-party with a deejay will take place at Mario's.

"The positive response has been overwhelmingly supportive," Kelly said. "First time in 25 years I can remember all bars in Bridgewater getting together for an event."

The new Frank G's Place on Riverside Drive expressed interest in next year's event, when its outdoor bar is complete.

Kelly said, "The borough has been very supportive as well."

Over 200 golfers have signed up so far.

To sign up, stop in at any of the participating bars. The day of the event is BYOP (bring your own putter.)

Scott Tady is entertainment editor at The Times and easy to reach at stady@timesonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Putting around in Bridgewater saloons for a good cause