10th annual Patriotic Scramble tees up an all-time record

Local tourney raises more than $15,000 for area veterans groups

SANDPOINT — The 10th Annual Patriotic Golf Scramble started with a bang recently at the Elks Golf Course, a 21 gun salute that is, courtesy of an all-Veterans Honor Guard. Brian Hult, the Veterans Service Officer of Bonner County, was present to lead the group in a very moving opening prayer and then the 17 teams were on their way.

The annual golf tournament serves as the largest fundraiser for all of the following local veterans organizations: The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps League, Vietnam Veterans of America and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

With a hole-in-one prize of $15,000, these groups were not short of the competitive spirit. Although no player won the big prize, great shots of golf were ever-present throughout the tournament. Mother Nature cooperated once again this year and held at bay the much needed rain until well after the tournament.

The Low Gross winners were Yvonne Hull, Paul Glasier, Rex Remmers and Guy Marks. Low Net winners were Gene Holt, Mark Schmeizer, Bob Wiley and Dan Lister. Second low-net winners were Colt Bird, Mick Clements, Steve Schaffner and Don Hadly. Longest putt was Brian Hult.

While the players dined on cooked-to-order steaks, a presentation was made to Vietnam era veterans, each received a commemorative pin and were officially welcomed home.

The Sandpoint Elks Lodge has had the honor of hosting this annual golf tournament for the past 10 years. The five veterans groups are indebted to Linda Tatlock of the Elks, who did much of the organization for the tournament.

“I have been involved with this tournament since the beginning and I am continually astounded at the generosity of the community in our efforts to raise much needed funds in support of our local Veterans,” said Tatlock. “This year was no different and has been our most successful tournament yet.”

With this year’s record breaking proceeds, more than $15,000 was contributed to assist local veterans, with 25 percent of those proceeds going to Kaniksu’s Veterans Dental Health Program, which assists in providing dental care for those veterans who do not qualify for VA benefits or have dental insurance.

With the ongoing support of the community, as well as the commitment of the Elks Lodge, a total of more than $80,000 has been contributed to the veterans in Bonner and Boundary county over the past 10 years.

“I continue to be humbled by the generosity and giving spirit of the community and the brotherhood of the military organizations,” said Tatlock. “A huge thank you to all our sponsors and supporters, without them we would not have been as successful in our fundraising efforts. We look forward to holding this awesome tournament again next year.”

$1,000 Grant: Idaho State Elks Association.

Corporate Sponsors: Hull Family, Litehouse, Marine Corps League, Pacific Steel & Recycling, Pend Oreille Shores Resort & Washington Trust Bank.

Sponsors: 5th Avenue Detail Shop, All Star RV & Trailer Repair, Alpine Shop, American Legion Post, Attleboro Knives, Banner Bank, Barrique Distributing, Baxters on Cedar Street, Bayside Grocery, Bill Collier, Bird Aviation Museum, Bleeding Heart Tattoo Emporium, Blue Heron Café at Samuels Store, Brad Little for Governor, Burl Woods Dreams, Centenial Distributing, Center Valley Hospital, Colt Bird (OBT Trucking), Columbia Bank, Coeur d’Alene Casino, Curt Hagan, D&Z Auto, Dairy Depot, Dave & Linda Tatlock, Disabled American Veterans, DSS Custom Homes, Eichardts, Eve’s Leaves, Gail Harmelin, Hayden Beverage Company, Home Sweet Home Consignment, Idagon Homes, Jeff Dunnum, Jerri & Bill Stevens, Jim Woodward, Kaniksu Health Services, Lake Shore Realty North, Lakeview Funeral Home, Lana Kay Realty, Lignetics, Melody Muffler, Mike Boeck, Mr. Sub, Nickels Worth, Northwest Auto Body, Odom Southern Distributing, One Again Consignment, P1FCU Pot Latch, Pape Machinery, Pend Oreille Mechanical, Ray Calhoun, Rival Roofing, Robert Crader, Ryan Robinson, Sage Dixon, Sand Creek Custom Wear, Sandpoint Furniture, Sandpoint Surgical Association, Schweitzer Conoco, Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, Sears, Shawn Keogh, Specialty Auto Glass, Steve Anderson DDS, Steve Auto Import Service, Stoneway Electric Supply, Talache Construction, The Happy Hour, Wells Fargo Bank. Supporters: Elkins Resort, Festival at Sandpoint, Hoot Owl Café, Hurley Dean, Image Makers, I saw Something shiny, Ivanos Ristorante, Jalapenos, Klondyke, Larsons Department Store, Mick Duffs Brewing, Outdoor Experience, Pend o’Rielle Winery, Spokane Indians, The floating Restaurant, The Ranch Club, The View Café, and Trinity at City Beach.