Many enjoy golf. Janesville residents like supporting JWP in any way possible. When you put the two together, you get a golf fundraiser.
The JWP softball program assembled an entertaining golf tournament at Prairie Ridge Golf Course on Saturday, July 20. To make things interesting, they made it a Bomba Night Golf tournament. Around 14 teams smacked golf balls that lit up with each swing at bright golf pins, starting at 9 p.m. Although admittedly limiting depth perception, nearly all participants enjoyed the challenge. Although the tournament featured many skilled golfers, this cameraman knew not to be out for that long after dark to get photos of the teams on the course.
Activities Director Nicci Malecha, who served as the head coach of the varsity softball team last season, shared that it was the team’s first effort at a fundraiser at the golf course. “We wanted to do something interesting to raise funds for our team,” she explained. “This is our first time trying a golf tournament. It will all go back to the golf course.”
Jeff Simonson, assistant coach for the varsity team last season, also shared positive thoughts about the tournament. “It’s good to see so many people supporting our softball program,” he said. “We want it to grow.”
Steve James Excavating was the primary sponsor of the tournament. Like most golf tournaments, the results were split into two flights. The Schroer team won first place in the second flight, taking home $100 as a cash prize. Jeff Simonson’s team won it all with a 31-stroke night. Since Simonson helped run the event, his team agreed to give back their $200 cash prize to the softball program.
For those who wanted to support the team in other ways than trying to hit lit-up golf balls blind, some extra fun started at 6 p.m., including door prizes, a raffle, a putting competition, and music provided by JWP students accompanied by Becky Borneke. Infinity Catering also had a food truck at the golf course.
Nearly all members of JWP’s varsity softball team volunteered, whether running activities before the tournament, handing out raffle tickets, or providing refreshments and food to the golfers.
The event ended up going until nearly one o’clock, with the first golfers arriving at about quarter to midnight. The last ones were in at about a quarter to one. Although everyone involved may have started getting tired, it was well worth it to them to raise funds for the JWP softball program. They raised close to $2,000 (including the $200 the Simonson team donated back after winning the tournament) and are hopeful to see the tournament grow in popularity next summer.
