Chief wrestling program takes to the links

MOSES LAKE — Fans and friends of the Moses Lake wrestling team will gather at the Moses Lake Golf Club on July 1 for the first annual Moses Lake Wrestling Golf Tournament.

The tournament, which will benefit the Chiefs' wrestling program, is something coaches Jamie Wise and Juan Peralez felt was an excellent way to get the wrestling community out for a fun and entertaining gathering.

"Golf tournaments have always been a fun way to get people together," said Peralez. "It's a way to foster good relations with the community."

While the tournament is primarily designed to bring the fans of the program together in an event to support the team, there will also be a highly competitive aspect to the day's play.

Teams of four golfers will compete in a scramble with team average handicaps being used to calculate net scores. This, the Chief coaches say, will allow for a more competitive tournament that all participants will be in the running to win.

Awards will be given for the top three net scores, the top gross score, longest drive and closest to the pin. After the tournament concludes, a barbecue lunch will be served while awards are handed out to participants.

During this time, head coach Wise will talk about the team's recent hall of fame induction as well as the bright outlook for the upcoming season.

"We're gonna be tough next year," said Wise of the returning regional champion Chiefs. "We need to get a few 'old timers' to come in and work with the kids."

The "kids" of the Chief wrestling team will be the primary beneficiaries of the tournament, as the proceeds will be used for things such as medical supplies for the team, fees for off-season wrestling camps and, possibly, for the team to take a trip to a major national-caliber tournament.

In addition to the possibility of traveling to a big tournament, the Chiefs are in the early stages of organizing a highly competitive dual meet tournament to be held in Moses Lake. While plans have yet to be finalized, state championship teams from Washington and Montana have shown interest in attending.

For those interested in playing in the Moses Lake Wrestling Golf Tournament, registration must be turned in no later than June 26. Players can register as a four-person team, or individual golfers who sign up will be assigned a team to play with.