Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — The members of the Steamboat Springs High School golf team realize that the price of a state title includes lots of practice, hard work and dedication.

But there also are a few hidden fees, such as coach's salaries, equipment, uniforms and travel expenses. In an effort to meet some of those costs, new Sailors head coach Ryan Barclay and the rest of the high school golf board -- which includes Park Smalley, Steve Dodson, Rich Hawkins, Tom Taylor and John Vanderbloemen -- organized the Sailors Golf Shoot-out at the Catamount Ranch.

"We are one of those tier II sports, so we don't get any funding from the high school," Barclay said. "We need to raise the money to pay our coaches, buy uniforms and cover the other expenses of having a high school golf team."

The coach is hoping that he will get a good response to the tournament, which is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m. July 21 at Catamount. The tournament will feature four-person teams playing in a modified two-best-ball format. For $125, anyone with a USGA handicap can play in the event, Barclay said, and can help support the local team that finished second in last year's state high school golf tournament.

"This will be an important fund-raiser for us," Barclay said. "We are expecting about 35 students to come out for high school golf next season and the money we raise will help to make our program better."

Barclay was hired at the team's new head coach this spring. He has asked Luke Brosterhous from the Catamount Golf Club and Troy Weller from the Sheraton to act as assistants this season.

"It should help the program build some strength and it will give our players access to three pros from different clubs," Barclay said.

In addition to golf, participants can help fund the high school team though live and silent auctions that will feature equipment, rounds of golf at Colorado golf courses and dinners.

The tournament also will include a clinic by a PGA professional and a chipping and putting contest.

The $125 entry fee covers lunch, carts and 18 holes of golf. A portion of the money raised will go directly to the high school team. The deadline to enter the tournament is July 14.

Call Ryan Barclay at 870-1846 or Tom Taylor at Catamount at 871-9200 for more tournament information.