Golf scramble raises about $12,000 for Chiefs wrestling

The fairways looked a little like 106-pound match in full scramble mode with arms flailing, carts going in all directions and laughter over errant shots, but that’s what it looks like when wrestlers golf.

Saturday’s Moses Lake wrestling golf scramble fundraiser at the Links at Moses Pointe did its job, raising an estimated $12,000-plus to help support Chiefs wrestling. The annual event helps fund summer camps and projects that require funding outside the normal budget.

“We’re trying to get coach to buy us some new gear, so every little bit little counts,” said Maximus Zamora, who was one of several wrestlers on hand to help with the event.

The Chiefs have won 18 4A state championships dating back to 1959, including a stretch where they won eight state championships in 10-year span between 1959 and 1968. Moses Lake had a three-peat in 1998-99-00 to usher in the 21st century and most recently won a 4A Mat Classic in 2015 in the Jamie Garza era.

Garza was a part of three state championship teams for Moses Lake and won an individual championship in 1998. He learned and earned his stripes in the room with legendary wrestling coach Ron Siebel (1976-2004).

Saturday’s event will go a long way for a program as it goes in pursuit of state championship No. 19.

“We normally raise anywhere from $10,000 to $13,000 with this event every year. We’ve had as many as 22 teams. This year we have 18, but it’s a great turnout,” Garza said.

The Chiefs program was able to host a local camp back in July featuring former Oregon State coach Kevin Roberts, which was a huge success right here in their own backyard.

“It was a great turnout and the kids had a great time,” Garza said. “He was very helpful telling the kids to make good decisions and what college recruiters are looking for in the college process.

“Now days, they’re not just looking at the athlete, they’re looking at the whole perspective. He bonded well with our kids. He’s originally from Spokane (University High), he talked with them about Moses Lake tradition dating way back. He brought a lot of good technique and hand-fighting. It was just a good couple of days right here in our own backyard.”

The thing about wrestling is that if you’re not working hard to move forward in the summer, it’s hard to keep pace during the season. Camps make the difference.

“We’ve been busy and competing all summer long,” Garza said. “It’s carried over into our open gym. Guys are combining it with cross country practice, with football, and parring that with the wrestling practice. Our turnouts have been good. The only way to get better is to keep working and that’s what makes events like this so important.”