MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Wrestling Club is hosting its 14th annual golf tournament fundraiser on Oct. 17 at the Moses Lake Golf Club. The event is aimed to raise money for the club and provide more opportunities for local wrestlers.  

“It's nice to get former alumni that put together a team and come out and have a good time and it's an awesome opportunity for us to be able to catch up,” organizer Jaime Garza said. “It's really cool to sit back and I'm thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, this is the 14th year we've had the Moses Lake Wrestling Golf Tournament.’ When I started it, I was thinking this is going to be a one-and-done, maybe two, and it's gone on. It's pretty cool to see that our community has been able to support this event.” 

In-person registration begins at 8 a.m. the day of the tournament, with the shotgun start at 10 a.m. The event is partnered with the boys and girls wrestling teams at Moses Lake High School, too, Garza said.  

He anticipates another strong turnout; last season the tournament attracted about 20 teams which equates to about 80 golfers, he said. While golfing creates a fun day of friendly competition, Garza’s favorite part of this event is the potential impact it could have on local athletes.  

“We're getting our youth wrestlers out to competitive tournaments where they're able to (train and compete) so hopefully, when they step into that high school wrestling room they're prepared for Jose (Tanguma) and Tony (Lee) to be able to compete at a high level,” he said.  

In addition to attending higher-level tournaments, athletes may receive opportunities for scholarships for students struggling financially, cover equipment and maintenance costs. Garza touted the historic success of the Mavericks wrestling programs and its connection to the community. He’s eager to see that continue for years to come, he said. 

“We have the most champions, and we want to continue that, and our community is proud of that, and so we're excited to be able to present this or provide this opportunity for our community as a way to be able to help us give back to our youth,” Garza said.  

For anyone interested in entering the tournament, there is a trophy the winner will get to take home.  

“The boys from Othello typically win it,” Garza said. “There's a team of guys that I grew up with, or one of the guys I grew up with, Mark Schutte and his team and his dad was the former head wrestling coach for Othello years ago. Mark and I are friends, but he brings quite the team, and if Mark's in the tournament and his team, it's pretty much a guarantee they're winning it.” 

For anyone who would like to register ahead of time, they can do so at this link: https://bit.ly/MLWC2026 

    The Moses Lake Wrestling Club’s golf fundraiser is partnering with the Moses Lake boys and girls wrestling programs to help raise funds for local wrestlers.