ARLINGTON — Golfers from Arlington, Marysville and even Seattle turned out to help support the community through the second annual Arlington Open golf tournament at the Gleneagle Golf Course.
The golf tournament, which kicked off at noon on Aug. 26, is an annual fundraiser for entryway signs for the city of Arlington, and 25 percent of this year’s proceeds will support the Arlington-based Kids’ Kloset to provide clothing and other basic needs for youth in North Snohomish County.
“Three-quarters of the money raised will go toward the Arlington Arts Council’s gateway signs, so that’s about $3,000,” said Jeff Pitman, a committee member for the tourney. “The remaining $1,000 will go toward Kids’ Kloset.”
Pitman noted that this year’s total of 44 golfers in 11 teams is about six foursomes down from last year, which he attributed to the later date of this year’s tourney.
“Last year we had it in the first week of August, but the weather wasn’t cooperating this year,” Pitman said.
The day of the tourney proved to be bright and sunny, though, enough for more than one golfer to remark on how fortunate they were not to be on the East Coast.
“Our prayers are with the folks in New York,” said Steve Fulton, an Arlington businessman with roots in Marysville. “As for us, it doesn’t get any better than this. Kids’ Kloset is an absolutely outstanding organization that’s serving a heightened need in this economy, and Jim Pitman has worked overtime to make this event excellent.”
Pitman was quick to credit his fellow committee and community members for making the event possible, including tourney sponsors such as Dwayne Lane Chevrolet of Arlington, which agreed to give a car to the first person to sink a hole-in-one in the 165-yard hole no. 3 at Gleneagle Golf Course.
“We’ve already paid for the insurance for the car, so we want someone to win it,” laughed Tom Lane, president of Dwayne Lane’s Family of Auto Dealerships. “I’m doing whatever positive voodoo I can to help people out. The amount of support from the city and the community for these causes is astounding. The city especially is smart enough to realize that a community is more than just sewer, water, fire and police. Events like this are what make Arlington a great place to live.”
Arlington’s Jim Chase was cheerful not only about the day’s causes and “perfect golfing weather,” but also about his own team’s performance.
“We’ve hit two birdies so far, so we’re doing pretty good,” said Chase, finance director for the city of Arlington. “It’s just a wonderfully fun day.”
Seattle’s Bill Dougherty was invited by a friend to take part in the tourney, but it wasn’t too far for him to travel, since his mother lives in Arlington. His teammates Tim Moore and Abel Borromeo likewise live in Marysville, but their work at Cascade Valley Hospital makes them feel like Arlington is their hometown too.
“We’re playing a level par,” said Moore, who recently moved to North Snohomish County from St. Louis. “I love it here.”
“Par is always good,” Borromeo said. “We’re still looking for our first birdie, though. I love being able to support the community through activities like this. The city signs are a great idea.”
