The West Ridge Golf Club was started ten years ago as a traveling golf group that plays a different area course each week. The club has grown from 24 members to over 100 members from Eagle Crest and surrounding Central Oregon communities. West Ridge Golf Club was named the 2021 Club of the Year by the Oregon Golf Association, a big accomplishment for a relatively young and small club.
They raised $2400 the first year of the tournament and have set a hefty goal this year is to raise over $10,000 for their chosen charities: Boys & Girls Club of Bend and Friends of Children – Central Oregon. Money will be raised through generous donations from club members, hole sponsors and tournament sponsorships from local individuals and businesses, including their golf course partners.
“We continue to be amazed and in awe of the work Friends of the Children – Central Oregon and The Boys and Girls Club of Bend do for the youth of our area” according to Bruce Watkins of the West Ridge Golf Club. “We could not imagine more worthy charities for our Golf Tournament. Our motto for the Charity Golf Tournament is “For the Kids”.
100 players will tee it up in an 8:30am shotgun start with a team format. Following golf, attendees will bid on live auction for rounds of golf with cart for four players at several area courses, along with a special golf painting from renowned local artist Gene Costanza.
“We’re so grateful for the amazing generosity and continued support of the WRMG charity golf tournament,” said Bess Goggins, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bend. “Our partnership continues to deepen as we all rally to support our youth who need us all the most, and we’re excited for our future together. Funds from the WRMG tournament support our youth as they learn about and grow in academics, healthy lifestyles, and leadership. Every dollar donated makes an incredible difference in the lives of our youth.”
Friends of the Children Central Oregon connects full-time, professional mentors to youth ages 4-18 who have experienced significant trauma before entering kindergarten. “The WRMG tournament is exactly the kind of example our youth need to see: that our community cares about them and wants them to succeed,” said Executive Director Rachel Cardwell. “Support like this is critical during the summer months when our kids leave the safety and structure of school. These funds will support field trips to Crater Lake, and weeks of summer camps focused on STEM, Arts, and Literacy.”
The West Ridge Golf Club and its members are extremely proud of the support for the children’s charities that provide so much for the children in our communities. We have worked hard to make sure every penny raised goes to the kids, while making it a fun event for our members and their guests.
