Back in January 2007, the Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary Club wanted to establish a major fundraiser to benefit the north-end communities.
White Horse Golf Club was slated to open in June that year, so the club investigated the possibility of a golf tournament with owner Bob Screen and golf pro Bruce Christie. Now, 10 years later, the club will host its 10th annual Golf Classic on June 17, 2016.
There were major hurdles to be overcome that first year. First and foremost, only two Rotary members were golfers and knew anything about golf. One of the golfers, Neil Swanson, served as the first tournament chairman. The other golfer, Skip Peters, has served on the golf tournament planning committee since its inception.
Secondly, there was no clubhouse and very few facilities on the course, so the event had to be scheduled outdoors under a huge tent. But stalwart Rotarians didn’t let that stand in the way.
In June 2007, two days before the tournament, White Horse Golf Club had not passed the final inspection to open. I drove to Port Orchard and secured a temporary permit from county officials so the tournament could be held as planned.
For the first six years Rotarians erected a huge tent on the edge of the driving range where registration and luncheon events occurred, followed by an evening dinner and auction. Based on their availability, North Kitsap Fire & Rescue helped to erect the tent in the early years.
Phil Dorn and Dan Martin served as Rotary presidents the following years when the tournament theme was “Swing for the Lights.”
Their goal was reached in 2008 when a $47,000 check was presented to the North Kitsap School District for lights at the Kingston High School athletic field.
Each year, proceeds from the tournament have been disbursed to various community projects such as the Rea Mowery Picnic Pavilion, new play equipment for Village Green Park, Feed the Kids summer food program, a Coffee Oasis in Kingston, blood drives, student scholarships, and financial contributions to the new Village Green Community Center.
Major change came to the Rotary Golf Classic when the Suquamish Tribe purchased White Horse Golf Club in 2010. The course was redesigned, eliminating many of the hazards and giving a better sightline on each hole.
The outdoor tent was retired in 2013 since a brand new clubhouse with banquet space was built at White Horse. This allowed Rotary to expand their golf banquet dinner and benefit auction, opening it to the public as well as tournament golfers.
Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary appreciates the golfers and sponsors that have participated from the start. Rotary would like to give a particular shout out to West Hills Autoplex, Les Schwab, and The Point Casino.
Come join the fun on June 17, 2016. Registration for golfers is now open. Those registering by May 15 have a chance to win a free round of golf at White Horse.
The cost is $150 per player and includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch, drink tickets for beer and wine and an awards dinner in the club house. Register at knkrotarygolf.com.
If you are interested in being a sponsor, please direct your inquiries to breanemartinez@hotmail.com.
Kingston Rotary is always looking for new members who like to involve themselves in community projects. Meetings are every Wednesday at noon at the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue Station on Miller Bay Road in Kingston. We gather at 11:45 to socialize before lunch and the meeting.
— Contact Nancy Martin at nanjmartin@mac.com.
