Youth Club makes fun changes to annual golf event

It’s Time for the Fallon Youth Club Golf Tournament —by Leanna Lehman —

Get out your clubs, rev up the golf cart, and get ready for the 7th Annual Fallon Youth Club Golf Scramble and tournament this weekend.

It’s that time of year again. The Fallon Youth Club is hosting one of its premier fundraising events Saturday and Sunday, June 20-21, at the Fallon Golf Course. The two-day event has undergone a major overhaul, thanks to Fallon Youth Club board members. This year’s scramble will be a fun-filled two days with great new opportunities to support the event off the course as well. 

One of the big changes players will see this year is two-person teams instead of four. The tourney spans two days instead of one. Day #1 will be a scramble and Day #2 will be an Alternate Shot format. Two-person teams will use one ball perm team and take alternate shots throughout the course.

Besides the opportunity to have fun, the event is a great way to support the area’s youth. The Fallon Youth Club provides low-cost after-school and summer programs. Club reach goes far beyond the program and expands into the classroom, to classmates, to family, and out into the community.

Neil Kelly, Fallon Youth Club board member, has invested much of the time and effort that has gone into implementing the new format in this year’s tournament, Kelli Kelly, also on the Fallon Youth Club board explained, “We have made a lot of changes that will make the event more fun for golfers and non-golfers alike.” 

One of the biggest draws to the event is the raffle which boasts a Pallet of Beer, sponsored by Kent’s Supply, and a six-burner BBQ grill. Raffle tickets are $1 each, 25 for $20, and a “stretch” for $30. Kelli warns anyone with a large wingspan (distance from hand to hand with arms outstretched) could find themselves recruited to help secure the most raffle tickets possible in a stretch.

Another new twist will be a “parimutuel betting system,” where participants finish in a ranked order. Anyone can bet on a twosome entered in the tourney. Much like wagering on a horse race, the bet will payout three places; winner, second place, and show. With handicaps in place, it’s anybody’s bet.

Winners will receive up to $600 in course credit with several $50 add-on prizes available. The Club will award top prizes of $400 and $800 in course credit to players that enter the random drawing. The entry fee is $150 per player and all proceeds benefit the Fallon Youth Club. The entry fee includes 2 rounds of 18 holes, lunch both days of the event, and entry into the drawing for course credit. The Fallon Golf Course does not restrict course credits to green fees; winners may use credits for anything at the Fallon Golf Course.

The goal, according to Kelly, is to grow the tournament over the new few years. “The new strategy expands the club’s ability to fundraise over time. It may take a little bit, but we will be able grow the event.” Another hope is to attract players from other areas. “We expect one team from Sparks,” stated Kelly, “and rumor has it a team from Winnemucca may take part.”

In past years, the event has netted about $6,000-$7,000 according to Kelly. It appears the Club is on par this year to equal that number, although more investment has gone into implementing the new strategies.

About 15-18 teams are scheduled to play leaving plenty of room for additional players to register. Join the Fallon Youth Club Golf Tournament or simply come enjoy the festivities and support one of the communities most effective youth programs.