By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Christmas is rapidly approaching and if you don't have any idea what to get the golf fan in your family, the Niles golf program can help you out.
The Niles golf team is once again selling tickets to the Buick Open, to be held at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club in Grand Blanc, June 23-29, 2008.
Tickets normally sell for $30 in advance or $35 at the event. But you can pick up a ticket for just $20.
"That's quite a bargain," Niles varsity golf coach Greg Gunder said. "This is our fifth year of participating in the sale of tickets and over the four years we have raised $4,500 for equipment and to help with travel expenses for the team."
The money the team raises also helps pay for practice rounds before tournaments and range balls, among other things.
For each ticket sold, Niles receives 50 percent of the sale. The remaining 50 percent go to the Buick Open Charities, after expenses are taken care of.
The tournament has raised nearly $8 million for Michigan charities since 1982 according to Gunder.
Gunder said that he has gotten plenty of responses from people who have gone to the tournament after purchasing tickets and said they had a wonderful time.
The tickets are not restrictive and you can follow any golfer around the course.
"I had one person tell me what a great bonding experience it was for a father and a son," Gunder said. "This would make a great Christmas gift for a dad or a grandfather, or anyone."
The first two years, Gunder said the program ordered 100 tickets. Last year Niles ordered 200 tickets and this year upped its order to 300 tickets.
If you are interested in purchasing tickets for the 2008 Buick Open in Grand Blanc, contact a member of the boys' golf team or the Niles High School Athletic office at 684-8683.
You can also contact Gunder at 687-8464.
Tickets will be available until April 21, 2008.