Thanks to community support, the annual Ballard High School Golf Classic has contributed more than $600,000 to its sports programs and band in the last eight years. The contributions have helped purchase a new sound system and banners for the gym, a scoreboard for the new field, uniforms and equipment for the teams, a full-time certified athletic trainer and many more items.
The event is an 18-hole, double-shotgun-start tournament followed by a Texas barbecue dinner along with a silent and live auction. Funds are raised mainly through money paid by sponsors of the event, and proceeds from the auctions and other raffles and related activities that happen during the day. The goal is to attract 240 golfers to the Golf Club at Newcastle for a fun day of golf on Aug. 4.
Included in the price of the ticket is a $100,000 putting contest. Half of the money goes to the school and the other half to the winning putter.
"It's a fun putting contest and most of the golfers get involved," said marketing co-chair Randi Freidig. "Last year you had to buy a super ticket for $20 to participate but this year it's included in the cost of registration."
There is also a hole-in-one contest, sponsored by Carter Volkswagen Subaru, which was won by Jeff Morgan in 2007.
Golfers are a critical part of the success of this event and organizers are encouraging friends, neighbors, relatives and co-workers to get out there and play. This is especially true this year as one of the event's major sponsors of 2008 could not re-up this year.
Organizers said there are also sponsorship opportunities available. This is a critical part of the golf tournament and the source of most of the revenue that goes back to the school. Any business considering supporting the high school and its athletic/music programs with a sponsorship should contact Tournament Chair Mary Wong at marwong@juno.com.
Presented by the Ballard High School Foundation, this fundraising effort for the athletic department and music programs helps free up money for academics.
If you want to play....
Visit www.ballardbeavers.org/golfclassic and download a registration form.
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