Open call for Wildcat tournament volunteers

Wildcat alumni are expecting a full field of 145 golfers at their Triple Threat Tournament at the end of the month, but the University of Arizona Alumni Association-Yuma must first recruit volunteers at its September meeting.
 
The tournament is the only fundraiser for scholarships awarded to Yuma students who wish to attend the Tucson university, according to Jeff Byrd, the association president. This year they are aiming to raise an unprecedented $40,000 distributed in $1,500 and $1,000 scholarships.
 
"If we want to raise more scholarship money from the tournament, it's getting too big to organize with the current membership, so we're making an open call for new members to provide services for support," Byrd said.
 
This year will be the 26th tournament and since 1991, proceeds have gone toward scholarships, Byrd said. So far $550,000 has been distributed.
 
Byrd acknowledged this year it has been a little tougher to raise scholarship money compared to previous years, owing to the downturn in the economy, and so they invite all interested volunteers to attend the association's next meeting. 

It begins at noon Thursday in the back banquet room of La Fonda Restaurant, 1095 S. 3rd Ave.
 
A shotgun start kicks off this year's tournament Sept. 30 at the Yuma Golf and Country Club, 3150 S. Fortuna Ave. Tickets are $150 each, which includes a reservation for the barbecue that follows. Those who want to attend just the barbecue, tickets are $25 each by Sept. 15.
 
The top three finishers of the tournament will receive trophies. A raffle eligible to all those who sign up as members of the alumni association will award a basketball signed by UA coach Lute Olsen and team members.
 
A $50 yearly membership offers discounts at selected UA Alumni Association events, Byrd said, a subscription to the alumni magazine and a copy of the calendar published by the university.
 
Members also get discounts for travel along with three guests of their choice. This summer, members traveled to the Beijing Olympic Games, and travelers are often accompanied by a university professor knowledgable in the locale, Byrd said.
 
A new slate of Yuma chapter officers was elected recently. In addition to Byrd, they are Jon Mattheus, vice president; Anne Powell, secretary; and Chris Thompson, treasurer, who is also tournament chairman.
 
For more information about the golf tournament, call Thompson at 343-1694.


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William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.