Newspapers in Education classic approaches
MOSES LAKE — The Newspapers in Education (NIE) program is designed to benefit youth in Columbia Basin classrooms and the Columbia Basin Herald, with help from Horizon Credit Union and Horizon Northwest Home Mortgage, will host the second annual Newspapers in Education Golf Classic this weekend at the Coeur d’Alene Resort in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
NIE benefits youth in classrooms throughout Grand and Adams counties, said Event Chairman and Columbia Basin Herald Circulation Director Tom Hinde.
“We have dozens of classrooms and hundreds of students throughout the Columbia Basin who utilize our Newspaper in Education literacy program to improve classroom performance,” he said. “The golfers in our tournament play an important role and their participation helps fund the cost associated with our literacy program.”
The tournament will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon at one of the premier golf destinations in North America — the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course.
The Coeur d’Alene Golf Course sits along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and is a perennial award winner and recently received Golf World Magazine’s prestigious 2009 Readers’ Choice Award.
In addition to playing one of North America’s prestigious golf courses, participants will help benefit Columbia Basin youth in the classroom, Hinde said.
“Every participant is going to enjoy a great experience, but the benefits go deeper than that. Their support plays an important part in educating local youth,” he said. “It is an investment in America’s youth.”
Hinde has coordinated 12 hole competitions for Sunday’s tournament and the contest on the 14th hole may prove to be the most challenging for golfers.
“Our signature contest is the ‘Claim the Island’ closest-to-the-pin contest on the Coeur d’Alene Resort’s award-winning, signature hole,” he said. “The winner receives a special bottle of Chivas Regal 18-year-old Gold Signature Scotch Whiskey featuring a one-of-a-kind gift label.”
Tournament participation is not limited to corporate sponsors.
Interested golfers may participate in the second annual Columbia Basin Herald Newspapers in Education Golf Classic for $155 per golfer or $620 per four-person team.
Registered golfers will receive a round of golf at the world famous Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course, a water taxi to and from the resort, fore caddie service, a 2009 Coeur d’Alene Resort golf bag tag, complimentary practice balls, warm-up sports massage, barbecue dinner and gift bag.
Space is still available for Sunday’s tournament and interested participants should register as soon as possible, Hinde said.
“The player registration deadline is fast approaching,” he said.
The registration deadline for the second annual Newspapers in Education Golf Classic is Thursday and Hinde said there are a variety of prizes available to participating golfers.
“We have some outstanding wine, hats, and shirts to give away,” he said. “We also have a gift basket prepared by Washington State University President Elson S. Floyd.”
While the second annual golf tournament will help fund the NIE program throughout the year, Hinde is constantly looking for additional program support.
“We are always looking for local businessmen and businesswomen who would like to make a donation to the NIE program,” he said. “We would appreciate the support and our area teachers and students would too.”
For more information about the Newspapers in Education program or to participate in this year’s golf tournament, contact Hinde or NIE coordinator Jenna Erickson at 509-765-8882.
Hinde is available via e-mail at thinde@columbiabasinherald.com.