Event raises around $1,000 for local organization

MOSES LAKE - Golfers had the chance Saturday to improve their swing and benefit a community organization.

The Links at Moses Pointe hosted Columbia Basin Appreciation Day on which a round of golf was free with a $5 donation to the North Columbia Community Action Council.

The community action council provides services such as home ownership assistance for disadvantaged people.

Bill Porter, director of golf at Moses Pointe, said the day is about giving back to the community which supports them all year.

"A huge part of our golf participation here is Grant County, Columbia Basin residents … we just have this day really open to them when they can come out and enjoy a day of free golf," he said.

He said The Links is hosting the 2008 Washington State Amateur Championship this year and this is a chance for players to preview the course the contenders will play on.

Porter said approximately 240 people played Saturday with more at the driving range, which generated at least $1,000.

Events Coordinator Lue Blickfeldt agreed the day was about giving back.

"I think that's really important and that's certainly something that I think is important as events coordinator here is to make certain that we give back to the community who gives to us so generously," she said.

Michael Valdez, who works in sales at Discovery Ford and Discovery Honda, and used to coach high school golf, was practicing drives at the range and hoped to play "extremely well" on the course.

"It will be a beautiful day," he said.

Joe Larosee, who would later play acoustic guitar and piano for the dinner crowd at The Links, practiced at the range and was given tips from Porter.

"He always takes the time. He's an amazing coach," Larosee said.

Contests were held to get the farthest drive and to hit the ball nearest the pin. Gordon Corder of Moses Lake won both, hitting a 327-yard drive and in the second contest, getting the ball 5 inches from the pin, teeing off from a 109-yard distance.

Corder accepted prizes, rather than cash, in order to maintain amateur status.