TRACS benefits from scramble

THOMPSON FALLS – Golfers from across the area headed to Thompson Falls over the weekend to compete and support a local organization.

Avista’s sixth annual charity golf scramble and silent auction was held at the River’s Bend Golf Course in Thompson Falls on Saturday, Aug. 16.

This year’s golf scramble was in support of the Thompson River Animal Care Shelter.

All the money raised will go toward supporting the continued efforts of TRACS to provide shelter and protection for animals in Sanders County.

Together TRACS and Avista raised more than $14,000 for the animal shelter during the Saturday event.

TRACS also offers education and support to the community on issues such as overpopulation and responsible pet ownership.

“We partner with a different 501c or community charity every year,” Tournament Co-Chair, Tim Swant of Avista Utilities, said.

Operations Manager Wanda Thorpe, was also on hand during the tournament.

According to Thorpe the TRACS team was excited to partner with Avista for this year’s tournament.

“We are very happy to be here. We wanted to do this for years,” Thorpe said.  

In addition to the golf competition, a big part of the fundraising event was the silent auction.

“Most of the items were donated by local organizations, and TRACS also donated some items,” Thorpe said.

Bidding on a number of items including golf passes closed at 2 p.m. on Saturday but the silent auction had been running through the week and bids could be placed by phone or in an online bidding system put in place for the tournament.

Sets of aerial adventure tickets to Whitefish Mountain Resort and Silverwood Theme Park Passes were also up for grabs during the silent auction.

Thorpe said the money raised will go towards veterinary care and day-to-day expenses.

“The money we raise will go towards organizational and operating costs,” Thorpe said.

According to Swant the charity golf scramble started following Avista’s 50th anniversary celebration at the Noxon Rapids Dam, as a way to give back to the local community.

“We are a community member. We have been here a while and the scramble is a nice way to support local organizations,” Swant said.

According to Swant this year’s competition featured 16 teams of four golfers each.

The numbers were slightly down from last year’s tournament which incorporated 18 teams but Swant was still pleased with the turnout, noting weekends during the summer are often full of events and travel plans.

Swant added many golfers have turned up for every year of the tournament.

“We have a number of teams that have been here since day one,” Swant said.

The team scramble featured a number of events including long drive, long putt and a closest to the pin competition on the fifth hole of the golf course.

Additionally, Rehbein Ford was on hand providing oil change gift certificates and sweatshirts to the competitions and auction.

The most sought after item during the tournament was a brand new Ford Mustang, which Rehbein Ford had put up as the prize for the scramble’s hole in one challenge.

No one recorded a hole in one on the selected hole but one golfer did come within four feet of the pin.

Swant said he was pleased with how the tournament had turned out and had enjoyed working with TRACS.

“Every year the event has evolved a little bit, with each group we work with coming up with new ideas,” Swant said.

The winning team on the men’s side consisted of Kevin Sparks, Mike Baxter, Kelly Kovarik and Ryan Ostwald, who shot a 58 over 18 holes.

The top women’s team shot a 75 over 18 and was made up of Kim Sparks, Chris Gross, Liz Morkert and Lana Nolen.

The winning co-ed team featured Darcy Evans, Katy Walton, Scott Jobb and Cindy Jobb, they shot a 68 during the scramble.

In September TRACS will host another fundraising event. The TRACS Fall Festival Fundraiser will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13 at PPL Park in Thompson Falls.