July 24, 2025, Press Release from the Lake Improvement Association:
GRAND LAKE ST. MARYS, Ohio – The Lake Improvement Association will host its 24th annual Bar Stool Open at the bars on Grand Lake St. Marys on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025.
The four-person team miniature golf tournament features stops at 12 different lake bars, a T-shirt contest, a costume contest, a pontoon/boat decorating contest and a photo contest. Tee time is at 9 a.m.; cost is $120 per team ($100 per team for early bird registration by Aug. 2). Teams can play by land or by sea, and the event will be held rain or shine.
A prize party will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 at Celina Eagles.
Teams can register at any participating bar: Celina Moose – Shingle Shack – Behm’s – Celina Eagles – Bayview – Duckfoot’s – It’s It – Shoreline Bar & Grill – Boardwalk Grill – South Shore Sportsman’s Club – Lakeside Hideout – Buoy’s Bar & Grill
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On the morning of the event, teams pick up their scorecards at the bars they register from, then can start from any bar they’d like.
All contests except the photo contest will be judged the day of the event at Celina Eagles, and announced at the prize party on Sunday. Prizes are as follows:Â
Bar Stool Open Mini Golf
1st Place: $300
2nd Place: $200
3rd Place: $100
Pontoon Decorating Contest
1st Place: $200
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $50
T-Shirt Contest
1st Place: $150
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75
NEW! Costume Contest
1st Place: $150
2nd Place: $100
3rd Place: $75
Photo Contest (enter by posting photos during the event on the LIA Facebook page and tagging them with #BSO2025)
Winner: $50
All proceeds from the fundraising event go toward the improvement of Grand Lake St. Marys.
Now in its 24th year, the Bar Stool Open has grown beyond a simple fundraiser - it's an annual tradition enjoyed by hundreds, a revenue booster for local businesses and a major engine for lake improvement efforts.
Funds raised through the LIA’s largest event are used to support water quality, amenity, legislative, awareness and economic initiatives for Grand Lake St. Marys.
For more information and the flyer, visit https://lakeimprovement.com/bso-2025/
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The purpose of the Lake Improvement Association is to promote closer fellowship and cooperation among farmers, landing owners and park operators; to advance the general improvement of the lake, its shores, channels, creeks, landings, parks and land in order to promote good health, soil stability, and clean, wholesome recreation for the public and private use of the area adjacent to the shores of the Grand Lake St. Marys, located in Mercer and Auglaize counties in the State of Ohio.
