AUBURN - Enthusiastic donors and sponsors teed off in the 2011 Federal Way and Auburn Boys and Girls Club & EX3 Ron Sandwith Teen Center 35th Annual Invitational Golf Tournament with Celebrity Host Dave Grosby at the Washington National Golf Club on Thursday, June 9.

Proceeds helped out the aforementioned organizations in many ways.

For everyone associated with the event, this was the first year of hosting the action at the University of Washington home course.

According to Boys and Girls Clubs Federal Way and Auburn Executive Director Shelley Puariea, the rising cost at the previous location was a factor in the change of location, but several other situations played even more prominent roles in moving to the Black Diamond area.

"Washington National has expressed an interest in hosting this tournament for a number of years and has worked with other groups many times in such events," she explained. "We also had some new board members who wanted to try Washington National. We are about to open our third club in Auburn in addition to forming a partnership with the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department. We wanted to recognize the strong connection to Auburn."

In addition to Grosby AKA "The Groz" holding court at the opening ceremonies and with his foursome, participants and volunteers as well as paid staff had the opportunity to hear Grosby spice up the proceedings at the event ending awards banquet and mini-auction.

Viewers could also find several Seattle Mariners representatives, including Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik, playing "small ball" on the beautiful course characterized by its deep sand traps.

In the team scramble format, a number of prizes were available to win, including a Hole In One prize of a 2011 Toyota Tacoma coutesy of Doxon Toyota of Auburn on Hole No. 8.

For additional information on the tournament and how it specifially benefits local teenagers, watch for a future article.