By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Residents of Shelby County got the chance to play golf for a charitable cause on the evening of Thursday, Jan. 9, courtesy of a collaboration between The Arc of Shelby County and Magic City Indoor Golf.

The Magic City Indoor Golf Charity Night, benefiting The Arc of Shelby County, let participants play Augusta National, home of the Masters, via golf simulator. Drinks and snacks were offered to create a fun event that celebrated both the magic of golf and the care that The Arc of Shelby County provides in Shelby County.

Carole Lyons, the director of development and community relations for The Arc of Shelby County gave her thoughts after the event’s conclusion.

“Now that the Magic City Indoor Golf Charity Night has concluded, it’s clear that the event was a tremendous success,” Lyons said. “The atmosphere was lively, with dozens of attendees coming together for a great cause. Although the threat of snow (was imminent), it did not keep these golfers at home. They were all itching to get out and hit some golf balls, and Magic City Indoor Golf was the perfect place to do that in the cold.”

The turnout to the event, according to Lyons, was impressive. Furthermore, this event was a first for The Arc of Shelby County.

“We are so humbled by the number of people who signed up and participated in this fun charity event,” Lyons said. “It was our first time doing an indoor golfing event and will not be our last.”

Magic City Indoor Golf’s environment, according to Lyons, was integral to the positive experiences had by attendees.

“Magic City Indoor Golf provides an amazing experience for golfers of all levels,” Lyons said. “Their technology and the owners being hands on and socializing and coaching the golfers was wonderful. Neil Thompson, owner and golf pro, made the experience so beneficial for each golfer.”

Lyons acknowledged that golf is not typically a wintertime sport, making the event perfect for those craving time on the links in the cold.

“This event was perfect as a winter event for golfers, and an opportunity for us to promote our annual golf tournament, Swinging Fore Achievement, which will be held on May 1 at Ballantrae,” Lyons said.

Magic City Indoor Golf donated $930 to The Arc of Shelby County from the benefit, and Lyons expressed her gratitude for the funds.

“We are very pleased with the donation that Magic City Indoor Golf is giving to us,” Lyons said. “We are so excited that the event gained so much exposure and was close to selling out.”

Lyons added that the exposure of the event increased the nonprofit’s outreach and awareness.

“Anytime we can share and spread awareness for our agency is important, and being able to do this through a charity event that was organized by a local business is a great opportunity for us,” Lyons said. “There were golfers who attended the event who did not know about The Arc or about our services, so this gave us the opportunity to share with them.”

Money raised from the event goes directly back to The Arc of Shelby County, and the funds will be utilized for programs that help individuals with developmental disabilities and delays in Shelby County, a core piece of The Arc’s mission.

Lyons concluded by discussing upcoming events for those who missed out on the golf night.

“We have many events coming up this year for The Arc of Shelby County,” Lyons said. “We are offering an early-bird opportunity for golfers to sign up for our May 1 golf tournament. We will also have our annual Dash & Dine 5K and Fun Run at the University of Montevallo in April, our first pickleball tournament in June and our tailgate party and cook off in August at The Beer Hog in Pelham.”

For more information on the Arc of Shelby County’s events and services, visit Thearcofshelby.org or its Facebook page at Facebook.com/thearcofshelbyco.