The Enviromech and Mortenson Construction Falcon Golf Classic to support Seattle Pacific University men's basketball preps for tee-off Sept. 11, with an anticipated $30,000 drive for its 30th year.
The proceeds from the Golf Classic go toward the pool of athletic scholarship money for men's basketball players. With 15 players on the team, almost everyone receives athletic scholarship funds, according to coach Ryan Looney. And for Looney, the Golf Classic presents more than a chance to raise money for student athletes.
"The biggest thing for me, going into my first year [as SPU's men's basketball coach], it will be a great opportunity to connect with the community, people on campus, alums and former players in the program," he said.
Looney has coached college basketball for 11 years, with the past five as head coach at Eastern Oregon University. The Golf Classic is one tradition of SPU's men's basketball program, and going into his first year Looney intends to maintain the team's traditions.
"We've had a lot on our plate this summer. There's a lot of tradition in SPU men's basketball program and one of our goals as a coaching staff is to keep some of the things they've done in the past kept in place. I think we've been able to do it so far," Looney said.
Also high on the list of traditions and goals for the team: a return to the NCAA Division II tournament for the sixth straight year and a spot in the West Region semifinals for a third year in a row.
"I'm excited. I think they're a team that had some success last year ... and of that team there are 12 returning players. In all of my years of coaching the single most important thing has been experience and I think our team has that," Looney said. "We'll be moving really fast here in the fall; we're going to try to mix together as fast as we can to try to build upon the success they had last year."
Last year's Golf Classic raised $35,000, and maxed out with 144 participants.
"We'll be trying for that again," Looney said.
The Golf Classic costs $200 per golfer and includes green fees, carts and a bucket of balls. Also included are breakfast, lunch and team photos. The tournament, at Harbour Pointe Golf Club in Mukilteo, will be played with a scramble/best ball format and starts at 7 a.m. Registration and payment are due by Aug. 28.
Trophies will be awarded to the top three foursomes, and there will be individual contest for putting, longest drove and closest to the pin. For more information contact coach Looney at 206-281-2963, or athletic director Erin O'Connell at 206-281-2175, or by e-mailing to looner@spu.edu, or ocone@spu.edu. The golf course is located at 11817 Harbour Pointe Blvd. in Mukilteo. Information about the course is available by calling 425-355-6060, or www.harbourpointegolf.com.[[In-content Ad]]
