On Oct. 16, 2025, the Washington Golf Foundation hosted its first ever in-person Fore the Kids fundraising event, held at Evergreen Golf Club in Redmond, Wash.
At that indoor golf facility, plenty of fascinating golf memorabilia were placed up for auction, all with the goal of raising money toward causes such as WA Golf Youth on Course, the Foundation’s assortment of scholarships, and other initiatives to benefit the game in the region.
The fundraiser represented a shared goal of several prominent faces of Seattle sports who have contributed in their own ways to the region, many of whom made appearances at the event and socialized with fellow attendees.
Lasting nearly three hours, the evening began with a joyous welcome from emcees Gee Scott and DJ Supa Sam. The mic was then passed to Foundation Board members former Seattle Seahawk Jermaine Kearse and PGA TOUR player Andrew Putnam, who then led a conversation about various Foundation initiatives. Plenty of socializing and networking time followed, all while silent bids and raffle ticket purchases were locked in.
By the end of the night, $84,000 had been raised, to directly benefit the Foundation’s golf-serving missions.
That dollar figure left those in attendance grinning from ear to ear. WA Golf Director of Development & Donor Engagement Matt Brown described the inaugural event as “a tremendous success.”
“WA Golf, Washington Golf Foundation, Youth on Course are all having tremendous growth, and youth golf here in the state is seeing record numbers,” Brown said. “This is all made possible through the generous support of Washington Golf Foundation and donations from our golf community.”
Indeed, that support was on display. Some of the items up for grabs included a golf trip to Ireland, gear from renowned brands like Srixon, Malbon and Radmor, a Seahawk game-worn and signed Marshawn Lynch jersey, and plenty more sparkling items.
Kearse, co-founder of Evergreen, had his presence complemented by former Seahawk teammates Cliff Avril, Doug Baldwin and Sidney Rice, all of whom took Lumen Field together during the Seattle Seahawks’ iconic 2013 Super Bowl run. In addition to Putnam, fellow PGA TOUR winner (and Sammamish resident) Cam Davis appeared.
WA Golf Youth on Course subsidizes over 80 courses throughout Washington and Northern Idaho that provide more than 15,000 junior golfers affordable access to golf, for just five dollars a round. Put another way, the money raised provides life-changing opportunities through the game, made possible through the generous support of Washington Golf Foundation and donations from our golf community.
WA Golf will host another virtual fundraiser next spring, with the intent of a second annual in-person event the following fall. Click here to donate to the program and ensure the future of the game.