Clody's One Eye returns to Old Hickory Sept. 15

One-eyed hackers, get ready. Dust off your clubs and eye patches for the annual Clody's One Eye Golf Scramble on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Old Hickory Golf Course.

The annual benefit for the Riley Children's Hospital ophthalmology department will kick off with an 11 a.m. shotgun start.

Cost is $200 per team and the tournament is open to the first 24 teams.

Following the tournament, food will be served and awards will be given at Greencastle Elks Lodge 1077.

Last year, more than $5,000 was donated to Riley, bringing the total to more than $125,000 over the tournament's 19-year history.

The Elks Lodge is again organizing the tournament and is seeking sponsors for the tournament.

The 2011 sponsors included gold sponsor Walmart; silver sponsors J&F Trucking, York Automotive, Greencastle Elks and Dever Distributing; and bronze sponsors the Clodfelter family, Mikey's Tobacco and Garzo Tire.

Sponsorship levels remain the same as last year: $1,000 for gold, $500 for silver and $300 for bronze.

Hole sponsorships are also available. Anyone interested in a sponsorship or in entering a team should contact event chairman Jim Skinner at 653-1449.

The unique tradition of one-eyed golf began when a group of founder Terry Clodfelter's friends were teasing him about his golf game.

Clodfelter, who has sight in only one eye, challenged his friends to try playing with just one eye.

Later, the fun tradition became something more when proceeds began going to kids with sight problems of their own.

The Elks took over organizing the tournament prior to last year's event, wanting to give Clodfelter a break and keep the tradition alive.

In the past, the tournament has also funded free eye exams for the children of Putnam County. Skinner said organizers hope to do so again this year. Look out for future announcements.

For more information, visit http://clodysoneeyegolf.com.