A slice, a hook, a sand bunker or a putt that rings the hole and comes out — nothing stops these golfers who range in age from 55 to whatever.

Parker Lillie makes his way to the clubhouse at the Lunken Airport golf course. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        They call themselves the Par Hopers, meaning they aspire to shoot par each time they play.

        It is the oldest golf club in Cincinnati and some of the members will tee off 8 a.m. Monday at Reeves Golf Course at Lunken Airport, Beechmont and Wilmer Aves., East End.

        “Our main concern is to have fun,” said Peter Pierce Jones, 71, a board member of Par Hopers. “I shoot in the mid-80s and I get upset if I shoot worse than that.”

        The Par Hopers started 40 years ago and caters to anyone 55 and older and retired.

        “We only plan nine holes each time we play because some of our guys can't play 18 holes,” Mr. Jones said. “We play scrambles, the longest putt, the longest drive and we give picnic. And we also play other clubs. We don't have too many rules, which makes it better.”

        They are not necessarily duffers. Mr. Jones said one man shot a 66 at Reeves, 6 under par.

        “Some of our guys are scratch golfers. We have one guy in the club who is 91 years old and he shoots in the 70s. I have a 14 handicap,” said Mr. Jones, a 71-year-old retired mechanical engineer.

        Seventy club members will golf Monday. About 170 people belong to the club, which includes a range of professionals and businessmen.

        Mr. Jones said they are looking for new members. To join, call him at 248-2491.

        Organizations that service low-income people in Over-the-Rhine, Walnut Hills, Avondale, Lincoln Heights, Woodlawn and Northside who want Community Action Development Opportunity mini-grants must send a representative to a technical assistance meeting held by the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency (CAA), 2 p.m. April 24 at 3011 Woodburn Ave., Evanston.

        The format for applying for grants will be handed out at the April 24 meeting. They must be returned by May 17. The funding period is from July 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2002.

        The CAA mini-grants are used for education, employment, housing and youth development.

        Gwen Robinson, president and CEO of CAA, said the agency helps low-income residents in Hamilton County achieve self-sufficiency and improve the quality of their lives.

        “The agency, now in its 35th year, provides social services to 7,000 families annually,” Ms. Robinson said. “It administers the county's 60 Head Start sites; Head Start is a free early education program that serves 4,000 preschoolers in Hamilton County.”

       Allen Howard's “Some Good News” column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.
       
       

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