13th Annual Prairie Hawk Golf Challenge

Monday, August 4th, 2025
Saddleback Ridge Golf Course, Solon, IA

2025 Event Recap

The Prairie School Foundation held its 13th Annual Prairie Hawk Golf Challenge on August 4, 2025 at Saddleback Ridge Golf Course in Solon. The best shot scramble tournament was won by a new champion team in 2025, including Sean Brandhorst, Blake Brockhohn, Todd Kuntz, and Eric Beck.
Their names will be engraved on our new Prairie School Foundation trophy.

Men and women golfers alike, enjoyed course contests for longest drive, closest to the pin and
longest putt. Additionally, golfers tested their skills in a 15’ perimeter radius closest to the hole
challenge and hole-in-one contest on a par 3 hole. We also had the return of the popular
chipping contest at the club house. New this year, and a participant favorite, was the
opportunity to tee-off at the treacherous par 5, 13th hole using an air-powered golf ball cannon
that propelled golfers’ tee shots over 350 yards!

Everyone enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches for dinner highlighted with an annual favorite mac
and cheese dish. After dinner, the first and second place flights were announced with the top
three teams awarded prizes in each flight. The winning team shot a remarkable 22 under par! The awards were followed by our ever popular drawing for raffle prizes.

Once again in 2025, the event title sponsors were Cedar Rapids Toyota and Holmes Murphy &
Associates. They were joined by 16 additional tee sponsors plus Conlon Construction, our golf
ball cannon sponsor. Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and participants, the foundation
netted over $15,300. These proceeds will help fund our Kids Fund, which is used to purchase
items for Prairie classrooms that are not included in the district budget.

2024 Event Recap

Over 100 golfers participated in the Prairie School Foundation’s 12th Annual Prairie Hawk Golf Challenge on Monday, August 5th, 2024 at the Saddleback Ridge Golf Course. The “feels like” temperature soared but it was matched by the golfer’s enthusiasm as they enjoyed a fun day on the course while raising over $12,000 for the benefit of the foundation’s Prairie Kids Fund. Participants tried their luck in two raffles, a hole-in-one contest, a chipping contest while shooting for proximity prizes on the course. Our thanks goes out to our event sponsors, Cedar Rapids Toyota and Holmes, Murphy and Associates. In addition, we thank 21 tee sponsors for their support.
If you enjoy golfing with Prairie friends, or simply like supporting Prairie kids, join us next year for our 13th Annual Challenge scheduled for Monday, August 4, 2025 at Saddleback Ridge.

Check out some photos from 2023!

The Prairie Hawk Golf Challenge has become a very popular summer event for avid golfers and businesses interested in treating their guests to an afternoon of golf at the Saddleback Ridge Golf Course located just east of Solon at 4646 East 180th Street.

Saddleback Ridge opened to the public in May of 2000. Its links style lay-out features many wide, spacious fairways, large, undulating putting surfaces, and multiple tee complexes on each hold to satisfy all golfers regardless of skill level. This par 72 course measures 6615 yards from the blue championship tees and offers some spectacular views of the surrounding area.

A 7,000-sq. foot practice green allows golfers an area to hone their short game skills or to just take a few putts before heading out for a round of golf. An additional interesting feature of Saddleback Ridge is that both the front and back nine’s each feature 3 par 5’s, 4 par 4’s and 3 par 3’s.

The Clubhouse at Saddleback Ridge is a great place to meet your teammates and mingle with other Prairie supporters over lunch as you prepare for an afternoon of great fun and relaxation. The menu features a wide variety of snacks, and a selection of sandwiches to satisfy all appetites, as well as a nice selection of refreshing beverages to complete your afternoon of golf and fun.

Please let us know if you or your organization would like to sponsor a hole for $150. The foundation will provide a sign with your logo to be displayed at the Challenge plus recognition on the program. Prize donations are always welcome and provide a great way to promote your business to the over 144 golfers and guests at the event.    

The Prairie Hawk Golf Challenge provides a wonderful way to enjoy 18 holes of golf, win some prizes, and share a delicious meal all while helping to grow our Prairie Kids Fund with the day’s net proceeds. The Prairie Kids Fund provides dollars to purchase programs, materials and equipment for the educational benefit of our students above and beyond the district budget.