On Thursday, March 20, the Southern Miss golf program held its annual fundraiser at the Hattiesburg Country Club. The event brought together both the men’s and women’s teams as well as donors who support the program.
The fundraiser featured a two-man scramble, where participants played in teams of two and selected the best shot for each hole. Southern Miss golfers hit a shot on every tee box, giving participants the option to use their own shot or the golfer’s.
“The intention of the scramble, besides fundraising for the golf program, is to connect with people that support the program,” said Camilo Avila, assistant coach for the men’s team. “The connection that our student-athletes can make with members is great. The ability to put a face to a name creates a connection that can be helpful to anyone in the near future.”
The funds raised provide the teams with the resources they need to continue improving and achieving success.
“Some of the opportunities that the program gets to have thanks to fundraising are having an indoor facility, updated technology to analyze swings, additional equipment, and the opportunity to travel across Mississippi for different qualifying venues,” said Colton Cowan, head coach of the women’s team. “It provides an extra financial resource for us to treat this program in an elite fashion.”
The Golden Tee Fundraiser is an important event for the golf teams, giving them the opportunity to show appreciation to donors and partners who support the program.
“It’s a lot of outreach, and getting people to invest into our mission and vision. Eddie has done most of it with the connections that he has,” Cowan said. “One thing we are big about is taking care of the people that take care of us.”
The event concluded with a silent auction, where participants could claim their winning bids after a week of competitive bidding. The auction provided additional support for the program while offering exclusive products to participants.
“I was excited to meet our donors and partners that help us in so many ways,” said Avila. “Everyone approached the day with excitement for the event, feeling proud to be part of this amazing program.”
Fernanda Gorostiaga, a junior on the women’s team, expressed her gratitude for the support the teams receive.
“I’m super grateful for all the people that are playing, supporting our teams, and getting to know us,” Gorostiaga said. “Thanks to their support, we get to have facilities such as trackman, analysis cameras, coaches’ offices, and the recently added indoor facility. Now, with the indoor, we get to practice during rainy days or late evenings without trouble.”
The fundraiser continues to be a key event for the Southern Miss golf program, providing vital resources and fostering connections between athletes and supporters.
