CAMANO ISLAND Despite ominous-looking weather, Lakewood High School staff, alumni and community members turned out June 16 for a round of golf in support of the Lakewood High School booster club.
The Cougar Golf Classic celebrated its eighth anniversary this year. The event originated with the foundation of the schools golf program in 1999. Before the school district sanctioned the sport and began funding it, golf coaches Chris Knight and Chris Walster managed a club golf program.
The Classic was born as a fundraiser to help pay for the fledgling program.
Though the Lakewood boys and girls golf teams have been brought under the school umbrella, the fundraiser has lived on to support the boosters.
The money raised by our Lakewood Sports Booster Club goes toward projects that recognize and reward our athletes, said Walster, who continues to administer the tournament.
Though no present Lakewood High School golfers played in the event, three recent graduates from the boys program were available at the watery 10th hole of Camaloch Golf Course to tee off for teams.
Ive got three guys who just graduated from my team, Knight said, referring to Adam Brisben, Kellen Noteboom and Sean Noteboom, alumni of a Cougar golf program that placed fourth at state this year. You pay five dollars and each of them take a swing and try to get it on the green.
With the scramble format, teams continue play from the best stroke. On the 10th hole, that potentially included the tee off of a state-qualifing golfer.
Lakewood Middle School teacher Jay Carlson captained the winning team, Walster said. Carlsons team, which included former Cougar football coach Ken Rogers, finished the par 72 Camaloch course 18 under par.
That was the record for lowest score ever, the previous low score was 12 under par, Walster said.
Eight strokes behind Carlsons team was the team captained by former Lakewood High School golfer Kirk McGillvray.
Lakewood High School librarian Nancy Jensen led the ladies, taking honors for longest drive and closest to the pin on the fourth hole.
Its always great to have an opportunity at the end of the year where the coaches can come out and meet the community members, and if not play, at least have the chance to say thank you for their support, Walster said.
Our big hope is that in the future we can continue to get the support of the community members and add greater financial support from the local businesses in the form of hole sponsorships, he added, because thats where were really able to makes strides in funding special projects.