Saturday’s Gridiron Golf Tournament fundraising event was a booming success and raised in excess of $10,000 to benefit the RHHS Wildcat football team.

"This event exceeded all of our expectations," said RHHS football booster club president Ricky Bodaford. "Several months ago, the word went out that the school would be relying on boosters more heavily to fund the individual sports teams and this is how we’ve answered the call."

"This was a phenomenal event," said head football coach Brian Brocato, who competed in the event. "Without exception, everybody I talked to there had glowing comments about the tournament, saying how well it was put together and how nice it was to have the kids on the team interact with them during the event."

"I can’t tell you how appreciative I am of the boosters and the folks that supported this event," Brocato continued. "It will help the program tremendously. With the rising costs of athletics and the existing shortage of funds, for a booster club to raise this kind of money is spectacular. This will give us the purchasing power to be able to do things we haven’t done before."

The fundraiser consisted of 25 teams of four competing in a scramble format at the Crosswinds Golf Club in Savannah. They competed for prizes such as cash, a Harley Davidson motorcycle, airline tickets, golf clubs and a flat screen television.

Bodaford said he had a lot of help getting this event together and wanted to "take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the sponsors and volunteers that made this event possible. The support from the community – the businesses and individuals – was overwhelming. Ultimately, that support led to a very successful fundraiser that was enjoyed by all."

The proceeds gained will be used to cover expenses of the team that aren’t met by the school budget including buying some jerseys, feeding all the players on game day or the night before, hosting of the banquet at the end of the season, additional head sets for the coaches, and various equipment."

In past years, the booster club has been able to purchase stuff such as a covered utility trailer, a golf cart for team use, radio head sets for coaches, locker room renovations, video equipment for the team to review of game footage and uniforms for the RHMS Wildcat football team.

Bodaford said the success of this year’s event has set the stage for the fundraising golf tournament to be an annual event. He also announced the booster club’s next fundraiser: a golf cart giveaway.

Paris Futch of Futch’s Auto and Golf Cart Sales in Richmond Hill has donated a custom made Wildcat football golf cart, which was unveiled at the fundraiser. Bodaford said the cart will make an appearance at every home game throughout the season and $5 tickets will be available for purchase. During halftime of the last home game on November 2, a drawing will take place with the winner to receive the custom cart. For further details, call Bodaford at 663-5094.