The inaugural Rego Golf Classic on June 24 to benefit the Rego Athletic Scholarship was nothing short of a success after raising $20,000 for the fund. Organizers also announced that the athletic scholarship will now be available to the entire Battle Ground Public Schools district and the Evergreen School District this school year. Previously the scholarship was only available to Battle Ground High School and the Evergreen School District.
Kristen Parkin assured 100 percent of the funds raised will go toward the scholarships. Last year, the highest-valued scholarship was $1,500, and 65 students received scholarships for a total of $19,500. With a $500 head start from the brand new golf tournament, scholarship should help more high school students by expanding into Prairie High School.
Parkin said one of the participants said the golf tournament did not disappoint and they could not wait until next year.”
The tournament, at Tri-mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield, boasted 104 golfers in teams of four with over 20 volunteers to make it happen.
“All of the golfers said it was the most-organized tournament, which I felt really excited about because that was my first one,” Parkin said. “It was a great sunny day out at Tri-mountain, and we had awesome swag bags thanks to the generosity and partnerships with businesses and donors.”
For next year, Parkin said the second Rego Golf Classic is tentatively planned for the weekend of June 22.
Along with the golf tournament, the Rego Athletic Scholarship Fund Page Facebook group hosts monthly online auctions to raise money, and fund organizers are actively planning a fall event. Parkin said the fall event could be a chili cook-off contest or even an in-person auction.
The Facebook auctions are made possible by businesses donating baskets, goods and more, Parkin said. Last month’s auction was for two wine baskets, and the next auction item will be a basket from Battle Ground Produce.
“Then all of that money goes to scholarships because they were donated [auction items],” Parkin said.
The scholarship is open to high school seniors who have or are currently participating in athletics, Parkin explained.
The Rego Scholarship was started to honor Coach Mark Rego, a Union High School football coach who resided in Battle Ground for over 20 years. He died from cancer in October of 2018 during Union’s perfect football season where the team captured its first state championship in school history.
“What made him so impactful was he knew he could make a difference each and every day, one kid at a time, and then he would grow that impact by pairing them up,” Rego’s widow, Kimberlee Parkin-Rego, said. “He sought them out and invested consistently. He was invited to their graduations, weddings, etc. … He believed in them and encouraged them consistently. He was passionate about investing in athletics and education, and he wanted everyone to succeed.”
To learn more about the Rego Athletic Scholarship, search for The Rego Athletic Scholarship Fund Page on Facebook or visit regoscholarship.com.
