Giant Golf Balls to Roll Into Chicago

Public art exhibit benefits the Ronald McDonald House and the Illinois PGA Foundation

A lot of golf balls will be coming to the Chicago area for the 2012 Ryder Cup, but the ones that will make an appearance on Michigan Avenue this summer will surely be too big even for the pros to hit.

The golf balls will be five feet tall.

At least 100 of these giant golf balls are set to be created, with proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana, a spokesperson for the organization said. The Illinois PGA foundation will also benefit.

They are being displayed as part of the Tartan Art on the Avenue exhibit. Donors will have the chance to purchase a giant golf ball for an artist of their choice to paint with whatever design they want. The artwork will then be displayed at the sponsoring business or on Michigan Ave., depending on the amount donated, according to the exhibit's website.

One of the golf balls is being painted by official Ryder Cup artist LeRoy Neiman, whose work has been featured at other sports events, including the Olympics and the Kentucky Derby.

Bob Behounek of the Chicago Brushmasters Art group has also painted a golf ball for the exhibition.

Tartan Art on the Avenue is part of Magnificent Moments, the official fundraising campaign of this year's Ryder Cup.  The campaign also includes the Ryder Cup Captains' Charity Golf Shot and "Bagpipes & Blues" event.

The artwork is set to be on display from Sept. 13 to Oct. 10.

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