Third annual Cougar golf tournament is this July

The event is scheduled for Saturday, July 22 in Orting.

By Kevin Hanson Contributor • June 21, 2023 1:16 pm
PHOTO BY KEVIN HANSON The greens and fairways turned crimson and gray on a Saturday morning in 2021 when the Enumclaw Golf Course played host to a tournament that raised money for the WSU wrestling program. In this photo, Heather McCann begins with a drive down the first fairway.
PHOTO BY KEVIN HANSON The greens and fairways turned crimson and gray on a Saturday morning in 2021 when the Enumclaw Golf Course played host to a tournament that raised money for the WSU wrestling program. In this photo, Heather McCann begins with a drive down the first fairway.

By Kevin Hanson

Contributor

Three hundred miles separate the Plateau from the Palouse, but there are strong local ties to Washington State University’s wrestling program.

Heading that list is Phil Burnett, head coach of the Cougar program and an Enumclaw resident. Also on the most current roster were a pair of former Enumclaw High standouts, Tyson Russell and Cade Carter, who headed east to wrestle under the Cougar banner. Additionally, serving as an assistant coach under Burnett is former Enumclaw and WSU wrestler Hunter Haney.

For the third year in a row, Burnett and his fellow wrestling boosters are planning a fundraising golf tournament to help offset the financial demands of operating a non-varsity sport on a major college campus. The wrestling club involves both male and female grapplers.

Wrestling carries “club” status at Washington State. As such, it doesn’t receive the same hefty benefits as varsity programs competing in the Pac-12 Conference.

The tourney is scheduled for Saturday, July 22, and is open to all interested players. There’s a notable change this time around, as the tournament will be staged at High Cedars Golf Club in Orting. During the first two years of the event, it was help at the Enumclaw course.

In conjunction with the golf outing is the 10-year WSU wrestling anniversary reunion and banquet. It follows the tournament at High Cedars but carries a separate admission.

As part of the fundraising effort, an auction is under way.

For more information about the golf tourney, the reunion/banquet, the auction or other ways to help boost the WSU wrestling program, visit events.handbid.com/auctions/wrestling-annual-golf-tournament-july-22-2023. Or, call Burnett at 206-255-0795.

For all information about the wrestling program at Washington State University, visit wrestling.urec.wsu.edu.

WRESTLING GETS COUG BOOST

While wrestling remains a club sport in Pullman, that doesn’t mean the program isn’t on an upward path. It was recently announced that wrestling was approved for “varsity club” status by the Sports Club Federation.

What does that mean? A message delivered to program supporters noted that wrestling is now in line for increased financial support, increased marketing support, and preferential status above other organizations in the sport club department. The only other club sport to attain that status at WSU is rowing.