The 10th annual Ballard High School Golf Classic fundraiser is less than a month away, and the event's organizers need community support now more than ever.

Durnig the last nine years, the money raised by annual golf tournament and fundraising event has translated into more $600,000 for Ballard High School's athletic teams and music programs.

That money has provided a new sound system and banners for the gym, a scoreboard for the new field, uniforms and equipment for teams, a full-time certified athletic trainer and many other items – all things that have benefitted not just student athletes and musicians, but the entire school community, according to a Golf Classic press release.

The goal is to attract more than 280 golfers to the Golf Club at Newcastle Aug 3. This is 18-hole, double shotgun-start golf, with a dinner and live auction sponsored by Victor Salvino (Class of 51) the night before.

Participants in the tournament have a chance to win $100,000 ($50,000 to the winner and $50,000 to Ballard High School) in the putting contest or one of four new cars in the hole-in-one competition.

The Golf Classic raises funds mainly through money paid by sponsors of the event and proceeds from the auctions and other raffles and related activities that happen during the day, according to the press release.

Each year, the head coach of each Ballard High School sports team and the music program directors submit a monetary request to a committee headed by the athletic director. The request is based on their budget for the coming year.

This fundraising effort for the athletic department and music programs helps free up money for academics—a successful fundraiser benefits the entire school community, according to the press release.

According to Ballard High School Principal Phil Brockman, each sports team receives approximately $500 from the Seattle School District each season, mostly to cover transportation, and the music program receives no district funds.

Last year, only 190 golfers signed up, 50 short of the goal, and a number of sponsors had to cut back due to the economy, but the Golf Classic still managed to raise approximately $60,000 to distribute between sports and music programs.

The Ballard High School Golf Classic is asking for help from the community for the 2010 tournament and fundraiser in two ways.

1. Sign up or encourage friends, family and coworkers to sign up to play in the tournament. Download a registration form here.
2. Ask favorite businesses of the businesses of friends, family and neighbors to support Ballard High School by becoming a sponsor of the Golf Classic. Turn the name of potential sponsors over to Tournament Chair Mary Wong at marwong@juno.com.