NCW Tech Alliance hits a hole-in-one at their annual fundraiser golf tournament

EAST WENATCHEE—The August sun shined bright over the heads of local business owners and entrepreneurs as they competed in NCW Tech Alliance’s fourth annual golf tournament fundraiser. With the central focus of bringing businesses together in support of the community, the tournament raised thousands of dollars for local scholarships and STEM education programs. 

The August 1st event kicked off at 8 am with registration and a putting competition featuring the option for participants to donate more money to start with their ball closer to the hole. Each participant to sink their putt won a position in the event’s raffle for a range of fun prizes, from Mission Ridge ski passes to a brand new barbecue grill. NCW Tech Alliance (NCWTA) also offered prizes for the golf tournament’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, including custom heavy-duty bags from Twisp company eqpd, filled with sponsor donations such as gift certificates and Bacardi liquor.

By 9 a.m., the tournament began, initiating a relaxing summer day of golf, laughter, and community investment. Participants made their way around Highlander Golf Course as they met with hole sponsors and engaged in a bit of friendly competition, sharing both golf advice and light-hearted trash talk.

Participant James Greathouse represented Washington Trust Bank with his team of golfers. The bank is happy to sponsor the event and serve the community through its partnership with NCW Tech Alliance.

“We’re very big into community service, NCW Tech is a great partner, and [we like] being able to give back to the community and the kids; let them get some scholarships and continue growing as kids,” Greathouse commented after sending a drive down the fairway. 

Another competitor included Top Rojanasthien, a Wenatchee City Council member and local restaurant owner who also sees the benefit in providing funding and education for kids in NCW.

“We’re coming out here for a good cause, it’s for kids’ scholarships, for STEM education, and I think that’s the future. If we can develop that workforce locally, that’s how we’re gonna grow,” Rojanasthien shared, looking towards the future of Wenatchee. 

As the sun reached its peak and the afternoon heat intensified, competitors began finishing their 18 holes and moseying over to the clubhouse for some tacos and lemonade, eagerly awaiting the announcements of the day’s tournament and raffle winners.

Before starting off the awards ceremony, NCWTA CEO Sue Kane touched on the central focus of organizing fundraising events for tech businesses in the community.

“We host this as a fundraiser for STEM scholarships, so the proceeds for today will go into our community for students and educators to really work on building that technology workforce,” Kane shared, excited for NCWTA’s upcoming Innovator Awards event, which the tournament helped to fund. “This year, it’ll be on November 5. And as part of the award ceremony, we award a K-12 student and a college innovator, and then an educator as well, and these are the scholarships that they receive live on stage. Nominations for those awards are actually open now.” 

NCWTA Marketing Director David Mabee snapped photos of the event, happy to see his hard work and planning finally reach fruition in another successful tournament. 

“[It’s exciting] just seeing it all come together,” Mabee said with a smile. “It’s a lot of work leading up to this. So, seeing the vision of everybody coming together and seeing how much money we raised, and making change in the community makes a big difference. So, it’s fun to see that and it’s fun to see some of our sponsors out here in a different mood, having fun and not worried about other stuff.”  

To wrap up the event, CEO Kane announced the tournament’s winners with the Sabey Data Center team, playing on their home turf in East Wenatchee, taking 1st place overall and knocking out the competition. Kane then drew the long-awaited raffle and lucky participants walked up to choose their prize.

Tired, full, and amongst good company, participants stayed and laughed together well into the afternoon, the sign of a successful summer day of golf. 

As the tournament wound down, Kane expressed her satisfaction with bringing so many local businesses and teams together, just happy to see her hard work make a change in the community.  

“Some of our sponsors have come back year after year, and some of them are now filling a second or third team,” Kane shared. “So, it’s a fun day to be able to get out and do something that’s recreationally fun, we got a beautiful day for this. I mean, at the end of the day, you go home knowing that you made a difference in the lives of some of our local students and educators.” 

Following the Golf Tournament Fundraiser, Kane and her NCWTA team look forward to their November 5 Innovator Awards Ceremony, now fully funded by the golf event’s sponsors and participants. Each Fall, NCWTA is especially excited for their innovator awards as they represent the coalescence of all their efforts throughout the year while also recognizing important students and educators in the community, a win-win for everyone. 

To learn more about the NCW Tech Alliance and their many programs, visit their website at https://www.ncwtech.org/ 

Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or will@ward.media