MECHANICVILLE — On June 3, the 4-H Scholarship Golf Classic returns for a 22nd year, helping raise money for the Saratoga County 4-H Leaders Association to provide college scholarships and other opportunities to local students.
Money raised at the tournament goes to the Saratoga County 4-H Leaders Association, which has granted 59 scholarships of $1,000 each to students within the county since the tournament began. The tournament is currently seeking sponsors and participants for this year’s event.
Greg Stevens, a program leader at the 4-H Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Saratoga County, said the tournament also helps raise money for things such as leadership trips and volunteer training.
The 22nd annual tournament will be held at the Fairways of Halfmoon in Mechanicville. Stevens said the tournament receives a strong community response, noting its growth since the inaugural year.
“We went from four teams in the beginning and 16 players, in year one, to really growing it into a fundraiser and a golf tournament that rivals a lot of the other big tournaments in the area,” said Stevens.
The tournament utilizes a shotgun start and a scramble format. Last year saw a record attendance of 112 competitors, Stevens said. It was the third consecutive year the tournament has seen over 100 people participate.
“There’s a lot of community support,” said Stevens. “Saratoga County 4-H is obviously all across Saratoga County. It’s not just one community, or a youth from one community, that benefit from this. It’s kids all across Saratoga County.”
The tournament raises roughly $10,000 each year, Stevens said. He said the Fairways of Halfmoon have “been a great partner” for the tournament.
Stevens also added that it is meaningful to see the strong response from participants and sponsors in the tournament each year.
“It makes me so proud and humbled that they feel we are a worthy cause to come out and support,” Stevens said. “We’re extremely happy, and we’re extremely grateful. Personally, as a 4-H leader, I couldn’t be happier to have such a great fundraiser that is established year after year, still continues to grow today, and provides opportunities for my kids.”
For more information or to register for the tournament, visit ccesaratoga.org. Registration is due by May 26.
