WARDEN – The Warden Development Council held its annual Golf Classic at the Sage Hills Golf Course on Friday. The event had a high turnout of 64 golfers participating, mostly in teams of four, and raised roughly $12,000 for local causes, according to organizers.  

“The event went very well – a lot of pre-work and a long day – thanks to members for all their help and keeping records,” Pat Millard of the Warden Development Council said.  

The weather was tailor-made for golfing as several teams took to the green. Each team started at different holes for the shotgun tee-off. Western Pacific Engineering sponsored hole 10. According to President Kevin Richards, they were holding a "Hole in One" prize opportunity. If a golfer sank a hole in one at hole 10, they would win a $2,000 cash prize toward a trip to Hawaii and a drawing for a Yeti cooler full of prizes. This is the first time the Golf Classic has had a sponsored hole-in-one out on the course.  

For the development council and Western Pacific, this was a partnership they were excited about and eager to give to the Warden community.  

“The city of Warden is an inspirational town doing many things to help develop themselves and always working to move forward, and so the Warden Development Council is a fantastic entity to partner up with. We're excited to make this the first of many years,” Richards said.  

The event had several other prizes to give away to the golfers who donated to their cause. According to Millard, a steak dinner was held after golfers finished playing, where raffle of trips, concert tickets, monster truck tickets, Demo Derby tickets, rodeo tickets, TV and other prizes were handed out.  

Kirk Jungers was one golfer who saw the value of supporting the Warden community through the tournament.  

“It's a good way for us to help support the community of Warden and their port district. It's important in these times, trying times for agriculture, that we support everything, and keep focused on what we do here and do best,” he said.  

He said he has been playing golf since he was in high school and has supported the Golf Classic for several years.  

With the funds raised, the development council will put them toward several community-focused endeavors. One being scholarships for seniors at Warden High School. Last year, the group awarded $5,000 in scholarships and hopes to increase that number after this year's fundraiser.  

According to Millard in a press release, they plan to use the money for several other initiatives.  

“The proceeds from the annual golf tournament are used for scholarships, purchasing flowers from the Warden FFA, Community Days, supporting the local food bank, which includes Bags of Blessing at Holiday time, and Santa night for the Warden Community children,” she said.  

The Development Council partners with the Warden Fire Department, where kids in the community can meet Santa during the holidays, eat cookies and drink hot chocolate. They partner with local sponsors to donate toys as well. Last year, they donated $800 worth of toys, according to Millard.  

With their efforts to support the local food bank, Millard said they had been able to donate 300 pounds of food in the past. This is in addition to their years of contributions to the Food Bank.  

This was the Classic's eleventh year holding the tournament. With the funds raised, they hope to continue making their impact in the Warden Community.  

    This team spent time at the tournament as a Father’s Day gift for their dad. The event saw 64 golfers take to the course.
  

    Western Pacific Engineering at hole 10, which they sponsored for the golf tournament. They were offering a $2,000 cash prize toward a trip to Hawaii for anyone who sunk a hole in one at hole 10.
  

    A tournament golfer puts the ball into the hole. Organizers of the event said they raised roughly $12,000 by the end of the event.
  

    A team of golfers taking their swing during the tournament. Many groups were in high spirits and engaging in friendly banter as they played for a cause.
  

    A golfer takes a swing to clear through the tree line. Several golfers have played in the annual tournament for many years. According to Pat Millard of the Warden Development Council, they raise roughly $10,000 or more each year.