The summer season has brought many to the local beaches and other
attractions, but for those more inclined to hit the links, Grand Valley State University’s Irwin Golf Outing at The Meadows can provide an alternative to the norm.

On June 7, The Meadows will host the Irwin Golf Outing, an open event open to any and all students, faculty and golfers.

The club, which is named after GVSU’s first athletic director in Charles H. Irwin, works as the main fundraising club for athletics here at GVSU — and the golf outing represents the biggest fundraiser of the year for the club.

According to the club’s website, they have been a key fundraiser for a multitude of activities, ranging from the Irwin Scholarship to funding that goes toward the athletic programs — like renovations to the outdoor baseball facilities — here at GVSU.

Janine Warfield, Irwin Club coordinator, said the event started out as just a faculty and staff social outing and has progressively grown into its current form.

Despite the fact that the event is nothing new, this will be the 40th year the tournament will be played, the popularity is still rising thanks to some unorthodox on-course activities.

“Actually, what has made a big difference is we have our coaches now, out working at the holes,” Warfield said. “(Them) interacting with our donors, playing little games, so that has really made the attendance pick up and made it really successful.”

Warfield said the coaches involved in the tournament would not be restricted to just ones within the golf program, like Don Underwood and Rebecca Mailloux, but along the entire spectrum of the GVSU coaching ranks.

“Our donors really appreciate getting to know the coaches and interacting with them,” she said.

Registration for the tournament is still open. Groups of four will partake in a scramble with a shotgun start. Door prizes and raffles will be available and a.m. flights will be privy to a continental breakfast — along with a lunch program with the p.m. flights at noon — as well as a cash bar at 6:30 p.m.

Cost for the luncheon only is $25, while the golfing and luncheon are $100 per person for GVSU faculty and staff and $125 for all others.

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