RESIDENTS “TEED-UP” FOR THE COTTONWOOD RIVER!

Did you know a leaky toilet wastes enough water in a year for up to how many showers? 20? 65? 150? 450? or 500? . . . . Answer: 500 showers. Do you know how many tons of topsoil is lost in Minnesota each year due to wind and rain erosion? 100 tons?, 1,000 tons?, 10,000 tons? or 150 million tons? . . . . Answer: 150 million tons. These are just two of the questions that golfers answered in the "TEE-UP" FOR THE COTTONWOOD RIVER GOLF TOURNAMENT.

The Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area (RCRCA), which administers the Cottonwood River Restoration Project, recently hosted "Tee-up" for the Cottonwood River Golf Tournament along the banks of the Cottonwood River at the Farmer's Golf and Health Club in Sanborn, MN. The three-person 18-hole best-shot golf tournament was a huge success!!

Along with a competitive game of golf and the scenic beauty of the Cottonwood River - golfers took part in a water quality quiz. Before teeing-up at each hole, golfers answered questions relating to water consumption, water pollution and soil conservation. The event brought together water quality specialists and interested residents in an informal setting to share the enjoyment and beauty of the river. Residents learned about what is being done to improve the rivers and the programs that are available to landowners. James Doering, RCRCA Executive Director gave a brief overview of the Cottonwood River Restoration Project and participants also heard from Tabor Hoek, Board of Water and Soil Resources who spoke about the success of the CREP program and Mike Appel, of the Natural Resource Conservation Service who gave an update on the Farm Bill.

First place golf trophies were awarded to: Tom Kresko and Tabor Hoek , both of Marshall and Richard Hoek of Comfrey—the team had a score of 69. Three teams tied for second place with a score of 70, they were: John Kaseforth and Dave Peichel, both of Springfield and Danny Peichel of St. Cloud; Tom Arndorfer of Sanborn, Ali Peichel of St. Cloud, and Paul Davis of New Ulm; Russ Steffensmeier, Glenn Fischer and Scott Potter all of Morgan. Two teams tied for third place with a score of 71, they were: Jamie Milbrett, Randy Milbrett and Scott Peymann, all of New Ulm; and James Schmidt, Kent Engen and Ray Quade, all of Jeffers.

The Cottonwood River Restoration Project hosted the tournament in an effort to educate watershed residents of the natural beauty of our rivers and to promote the recreational use and conservation programs available to watershed landowners. The event was co-sponsored by KNUJ AM, BRAT 107.3 FM and The County Hog 94.7 FM.

RCRCA , formed in 1983 is a local joint-powers organization working to enhance and protect both the Redwood and Cottonwood Rivers. Member counties and Soil and Water Conservation Districts include: Brown, Cottonwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Pipestone, Redwood and Yellow Medicine. RCRCA is a recognized leader in watershed management, working with local, state and federal agencies, as well as private foundations to distribute information and to finance and carry out programs of benefit to both watersheds.

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