Golf tournament rakes in big money for KHS

PINEHURST — Kellogg High School’s Activities Department recently held its annual golf tournament fundraiser at Pinehurst Golf Course.

The event is one of the main fundraisers for the department, which includes all of the sports KHS offers — as well as other activities like competitive speech and drama.

Nineteen teams played at the event, which saw some classic Idaho weather (a little bit of everything).

“The weather was OK for the most part, a little bit of rain, sun and wind made for a fun day of golf,” said Mike LaFountaine, KHS activities director. “It was a good turnout.”

The class of 1967 sponsored this year’s Hole in One Insurance for 72 golfers and offered players a chance at $10,000 during their first trip around the course and the second time around they could win a TV, $500 gift card or a new customized golf club. Steve Schmidt was the winner of a new designed custom club.

Following the golf tournament, guests were treated to a brisket dinner and both silent and live auctions.

With items like multiple gift baskets and themed auction items, the activities department raised more than $12,000 to go back into the department’s account.

“This year’s money will go towards our successful teams traveling to state. This year we have spent $26,000 on hotels and meals for our activities to attend state, and the transportation costs were close to $24,000,” LaFountaine said. “It pays to be successful literally. The state does reimburse expenses based on a formula that uses mileage, number of tourney games played and profits. Kellogg received $660 for boys basketball state, $550 for volleyball and $466 for wrestling — $1,500 is a small dent in $26,000.”

LaFountaine would like to offer a special thanks to the multiple groups and organizations who helped organize and run the event.