Mayor's Cup returns to Lincoln after 6-year hiatus

The Mayor's Cup golf tournament is set to return to Lincoln for the first time since 2018, with city officials eager to revive a tradition that brings the community together and raises funds for local families. The tournament, hosted by the City of Lincoln's Recreation Department, will take place Friday, Sept. 26, at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. Play will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. after an 8:30 a.m. check-in that includes breakfast burritos and beverages for golfers. "We knew we were going to bring it back eventually, once our staffing levels got right," said Lincoln Recreation Director Doug Brown. "We feel like we're finally at a place again where we can deliver this." The Mayor's Cup has a long history in Lincoln. First held in the early 2000s, the event ran every year until the recession halted it in 2008. It was revived in 2013 and held for six more years before staffing shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic forced another pause. Brown said his department is excited to finally bring it back. "This tournament is a heavy lift and there's a lot that goes into it," Brown said. Proceeds from the Mayor's Cup go directly to the city's scholarship fund, which provides financial assistance to low-income families. That money helps cover the cost of youth sports, summer camps, after-school programs, swim lessons and recreation classes, ensuring that cost is never a barrier for participation. Between 2013 and 2018, the tournament regularly raised between $15,000 and $20,000 each year. Brown said this year's goal is to raise about $10,000, with hopes of building momentum for even larger tournaments in the future. A full field is 144 golfers, and as of this week 112 players are signed up, according to Brown. Said Brown, "We want to make this a really nice and fun event." Those interested can register at lincolnca.gov.