The hosts of the Ninth Annual Ballard High School Golf Classic had to battle a bad economy and unseasonably cool weather, but the Aug. 4 fundraiser came off without a hitch.

"It was a huge success," said Mary Wong, the event's chair. "Everyone had a great time. The courses were good, dinner was great and the auction was exciting and fun."

Wong said there were a few setbacks this year. Only 190 golfers signed up, 50 short of the goal, and a number of sponsors had to cut back due to the economy, she said.

Still, after all expenses are paid, the Ballard High School Foundation hopes to have about $60,000 to distribute between sports and music programs at the high school, Wong said.

Ballard Principal Phil Brockman said it was a great day for the classic and the 59-degree weather at the Golf Club at Newcastle was a welcome change from the recent heat wave.

"It's a great community event for Ballard High School," he said. "And all to benefit our students.

Brockman said he wasn't optimistic about his chances on the course though.

"I'm not very good at all," he said. "But, I'm going to have a lot of fun."

Tom Robinson, a 1963 Ballard High School graduate, had a great start to the Classic, sinking a 38-foot putt in the putting contest to qualify for a chance at a $100,000 prize.

"I'm here to see all the people I went to high school with and see what happened to them," Robinson said. "And, to play a little golf. Same reason everyone else is out here. Oh, and to sink that putt."

Jim Lawrence, Matt Lashua, Doug Holmes and Casey McMullin won the front nine on the Coal Creek course. John Thorson, Mark Salerno, Brad Moore and Don Lloyd won the back nine on the China Creek course.

Aug. 4, 2009 was named Sir Jim Vatn Day by a City of Seattle proclamation in honor of Jim Vatn, a 1962 Ballard High School graduate and the honoree of this year's Golf Classic.

In nine years, the Golf Classic has raised more than $600,000 for Ballard High School sports and music programs.