REPUBLIC– For its 11th year, Republic will host its annual Tennis Ball Golf tournament to raise funds for its community. Participants will have the chance to win big while enjoying some fresh air by playing a nine-hole round of golf in teh snow with a tennis ball.

This year, the tournament will take place on Saturday, Feb. 25 from 12-5:30 p.m. at the Northern Lights Campground in Republic, Michigan.

The idea for the tournament came about when Chelsea Anderson, event coordinator and chairperson for the tournament, was bartending one night when David Gransinger needed help making posters to raise money for the July Fishing Derby fireworks.

“He had the idea and I just organized it,” Anderson said. “We kind of have continued those roles over the last 11 years. [Gransinger] puts in so much work designing the golf course and having it plowed and maintained by Robin Isaacson, they’re our golf course gurus.”

Alongside Anderson, Gransinger and Isaacson, Kim Isaacson also helps align sponsors, food, donations and anything else.

“When we started this, nobody else was doing a winter golf course, with a tennis ball especially,” Anderson said. “While everyone likes to win, this tournament really is about how much we can give back to others and that makes it incredibly special.”

While the tournament still provides the funds for the fireworks fund, proceeds are also donated towards a family/group in need due to medical purposes. Since starting in 2013, the TBG Tournament has raised over $22,000.

“We soon started donating half to the fireworks and half to a family in need due to medical purposes the years after that,” Anderson said. “The last couple years, we donated the proceeds to Republic Community Services, a non-profit that contributes money to the community for various reasons.”

Last year, proceeds went towards a man in Republic who was battling cancer.

“He kindly asked us to donate it to Republic Community Services in his honor,” Anderson said. ” The Republic Sportsmans Club asked us to contribute their fireworks fund share as well, in his honor. We lost that friend this past summer but will be thinking of him so very much, with such a grateful heart, on tournament day.”

For those hesitant on going, Anderson promises a great time.

“We have never heard a single person say it wasn’t fun,” Anderson said.

There is no pre-registration for the event. All registration happens day of event as participants show up with a $20 registration donation per player. For large groups, Anderson said that they are spaced out since larger groups usually take longer.

Cash prizes will be given for players coming in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

For more information or how to register, visit online at Facebook.com/RepublicTBGolf.