Not every event has to be a ‘major’

My late father-in-law always hated this time of year. And it had nothing to do with the heat.

A big sports fan, he yearned for the sports he enjoyed — namely college football and basketball. It seemed like an eternity between the end of spring football practice and the start of the next season.

I often disagreed with him, pointing out some of the summer gems right here in Cedar Rapids. He wasn’t buying it.

This is a perfect week to make my point, however.

On Monday, we have the annual Zach Johnson Foundation Classic at Elmcrest Country Club and on Friday, it’s the annual Fifth Season Races. These are not the biggest events in Iowa and maybe not even in Cedar Rapids, but they are great community events, something all Eastern Iowans can take pride in.

The 15th annual ZJFC Classic kicks off at 8:15 a.m. with the public clinic. The shotgun start kicks off all the fun at 9:15. The whole things wraps up by 2:30 p.m., so it’s a fun, quick day of watching some top-notch golfers and a handful of celebrities whack the ball around a beautiful golf course.

And tickets are free, but donations to the foundation are welcome. Maybe even encouraged.

Hopefully it’s not too hot. Stay hydrated just in case.

“Get ready for a day packed with excitement,” the event declares on its website. “From the dueling pianos of Pianopalooza on Hole No. 18 to the hilarious antics of the Golf Hecklers in the Corporate Village, there’s entertainment around every corner ...:

This year’s list of professional golfers includes Rickie Fowler and Max Homa from the PGA Tour and Megan Khang from the LPGA.

Fowler has been one of the most popular golfers on the Tour for years and has earned more than $52 million in career earnings and six wins, including the 2015 The Players Championship. Homa also has six PGA victories and has earned nearly $29 million since turning pro in 2013.

Khang joined the LPGA tour in 2016 and has one win and nearly $7 million in career earnings.

The celebrity list at the ZJFC has a heavy Iowa influence, not a big surprise given Johnson’s love of the Hawkeyes. The Iowa football team will represented by former players Cooper DeJean and Adrian Clayborn and coaches Tim Lester and Seth Wallace. Former Cedar Rapids Prairie standout turned Iowa basketball star and NBA player Keegan Murray also will take some swings.

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The Fifth Season Races — aka Fifth Season 8K — has been going on a bit longer than the ZJFC — quite a bit longer, actually — and remains one of Cedar Rapids premier events, even though it has backed off on bringing in top runners from around the region.

It’s still a great course, a great race and a lot of fun for those who participate. Even those who line the course in certain spots along the southeast side route seem to enjoy the event.

And it’s always a good way to kick off the Fourth of July.

This 40th edition of this classic road race is Friday, of course, starting at 7:30 a.m. with the 8K. The 5K starts at 7:45, the “Big Kids Fun Run” for the 10-and-under crowd at 9:15 and the youth mile at 9:30 for runners 12-and-under.

The races start and finishes at the corner of Third Avenue and Fifth Street SE, near the front of the Cedar Rapids Museum of Arts. The 8K runs up Grande Avenue, turning around inside Bever Park before following the same route back downtown. The 5K turns around on Grand.

It’s another great event that has been a staple for 40 years. How many events like this last that long? Not many. So the organizers, sponsors, volunteers and Corridor Running Club folks have been doing something right for a very long time.

These two fixtures may not have been at the top of my father-in-law’s list of sporting events, but they are important events to many. And lots of fun.

Comments: (319) 398-5861; jr.ogden@thegazette.com