Putt-putters play through downtown

Bright green paint around a hole in the floor greeted patrons who walked through the front door of the Garden Bar on Saturday afternoon.

The wooden floor-boards surrounding the hole wreaked havoc on the paths of golf balls and frustrated putters at hole two of the annual putt-putt tournament held in downtown Bigfork bars.

Around 1:30 p.m. 30-40 putt-putters started their nine-hole tour of Bigfork with three holes at the Garden Bar. Montana Bear Foods, the Rendezvous Lounge, and La Provence followed with two holes each. At which point patrons went back to the Garden Bar and started the tour over again to putt a total of 18 holes.

No one could remember exactly when the event made its debut, but Garden Bar owner Mark “Mister” Langlois said he thinks they’ve hosted the event for almost 20 years. Golf clubs and golf balls were provided at the start.

“It’s just kind of something to get everybody out of the house,” Langlois said.

Anywhere from 40-80 people usually show for the event.

Steve Arnold of Bigfork has attended for the last seven years, since he turned 21.

“It’s a good reason to get together,” he said. “Most people don’t take it seriously.”

But Arnold was taking it seriously enough to hit a few practice putts at hole three, before the event started. His golf ball seemed to have a hard time finding it’s way into the hole.

And he wasn’t the only one. Come tee time, an easy putt was a long shot for tournament players. Langlois gave up on hole two and pushed his ball around the floor until he ushered it into the waiting hole.

The carpeted hill at hole one kept groups waiting. Putters watched their golf balls go up and over, narrowly missing the hole on top with each tap of the club.

Lucky for tournament players the doesn’t always have the lowest score.

“There used to be a golfing day scorecard and a drinking scorecard,” said Ross Derosier of Bigfork.

The drinking scorecard is no longer used and this year the golf scorecard didn’t even come into play as prizes were given out at the end by a drawing. Tournament competitors put their name in the pot for a chance at a Callaway golf bag.

Eric Broessel won the golf bag.

Bud Light chairs went to the second and third place names drawn, Lon Hinkle and Nicki Docksteader.