Jacob Dimond / jake@yelmonline.com
In an effort to raise funds for the Yelm High School football program amid a quadruple levy failure and financial struggles district-wide, Yelm High School football committee, operating under YHS Connects, announced a golf tournament fundraiser this summer to directly support the team.
Leslie Lane, YHS football committee president, told the Nisqually Valley News on Monday, March 23, that the “Eye of the Storm Scramble” will occur on Thursday, July 9, at Tahoma Valley Golf Course in Yelm. This fundraiser is a critical step in raising funds to guarantee a successful 2026-27 football season for YHS athletes, she said.
Registration for the event opens up at 1 p.m. on July 9, with a “shotgun start” at 2 p.m.
Single player registration, including a golf cart and a meal, costs $125, while a team of four players can pay $500 to register. Local businesses interested in becoming a beverage sponsor can pay $720, while organizations seeking to become a meal sponsor can donate $2,000. Local businesses seeking title sponsor status can donate $2,500.
Dinner and an event reception will follow the conclusion of the tournament at 6 p.m.
For more information, visit https://eye-of-the-storm-golf-tournament.perfectgolfevent.com.
“With the levy failure, I don’t think that kids should pay the price for adults not figuring out their stuff. I’m just doing my part and hustling to make sure that kids can have a successful football season,” Lane said. “We’re orchestrating ways to raise funds for the football program so that these kids have an opportunity to play. I’d encourage all parents to get involved with the booster. It’s not just for athletics. It’s for art. It’s for band. It’s for choir. There’s opportunities across the board for parents to get involved and help raise funds for activities their kids participate in.”
She added that the YHS football committee is seeking one sponsor per hole at Tahoma Valley Golf Course, but noted they’d be happy to accept more businesses and expand sponsorship opportunities if that goal of 18 businesses is met.
“We’ve had a couple businesses pledge and lock in,” Lane said. “We’ve also had a few that have given their word to sponsor. People have reached out to say they’re forming teams. People are involving friends outside of the community to come and be part of the tournament.”
Additionally, the funds raised during the “Eye of the Storm Scramble” golf tournament this summer will directly benefit the YHS football team by providing additional funds to purchase equipment like shoulder pads, helmets, girdles, jerseys, kneepads and more.
“This will be a golf tournament to support Yelm football. It should be a fun afternoon. We’re looking to invite as many businesses as we can to sponsor or play,” Lane said. “My goal, while supporting football, is to also involve the community and let them be a part of the fun of Yelm football.
“The committee itself is excited that we are hustling and putting in work to support the football program at the high school,” she continued. “If you haven’t signed up to play, sign up. It should be a fun first annual golf tournament. It’s not just for football, but to bring the community together for something fun.”
