2026 WRA Golf Day Out: Great Food, Great Weather, and a Record Day for Western Rugby

The Western Rugby Alumni's annual Golf Day Out returned to Avalon Golf Links in Burlington on September 18, and by every measure it was a day to remember. With 81 golfers on the course, sunshine overhead, and one of the best spreads of food this event has ever seen, alumni, parents, and supporters came together to raise nearly $29,000 in support of WWU Men's Rugby.

A Day on the Course

The weather could not have cooperated better, and the day ran smoothly from the first tee to the final putt. The competition at the top was just as close as the scores suggest.

1st Place (-12): Matt North, Travis Korda, Rick Gilbreath, and Matt Lyons finished 12 under par and won the top spot on a back nine tiebreaker. Their prize is free entry for all four into the 2027 WRA Golf Day Out, so they'll be back next year to defend the title.

2nd Place (-12): Ryan Forbes, Tim Wangen, Taylor Solomon, and Andy Lambrict also posted 12 under and fell just short on the tiebreaker. They took home four Avalon Golf Links gift certificates for a Monday through Thursday round.

3rd Place (-10): Max Stone, Ethan Grassley, Carson Slaunwhite, and Jozef Stone finished 10 under and claimed third on a back nine tiebreaker. They earned four sleeves of WRA golf balls and four bottles of wine.

Individual Contests

• Longest Drive (No. 6 West): T.J. Swedelius
• Women's Long Drive (No. 6 West): Kelsey Johnson
• Closest to the Pin (No. 7 West): Tim Wangen, 4 feet 6 inches
• Poker Game: Taylor Solomon, winner of a $100 Scotty Browns gift certificate

Each drive and pin winner received a sleeve of balls and a bottle of wine. The putting contest was a crowd favorite, with 48 gifts handed out as golfers finished. No one claimed the $5,000 hole in one prize this year, so there's something to aim for in 2027.

A Feast Worth the Trip

If you were there, you already know: the food was outstanding.

Mike Girton brought 700 shrimp, which Neil Gardner barbecued and served. Samish Gold Seafoods provided 480 oysters, and when it came time to shuck them, our current players rolled up their sleeves, grabbed the oyster knives, and figured it out on the fly. By the end, the oysters were coming out looking fantastic, and Ned Kennedy and Dan Barclay barbecued them to perfection. Mike Compton rounded out the menu with fresh corn, the players kept the hot dogs coming, and there were beverages for everyone.

The Players Stepped Up

A special shout out goes to the WWU Men's Rugby players who volunteered throughout the day. From cooking to shucking to keeping things moving, they did a great job representing the program and showed exactly the kind of character that makes Western Rugby special.

Thank You

An event like this only happens because of the people who give their time and energy to make it great. Our sincere thanks to:

• WRA President Jeff Lombard, who helped organize the event and made sure everything ran smoothly, from equipping the players with oyster knives to taking photos on the course
• John Tennant, for his leadership as event chairperson
• Paul Horne, who handed out the prizes, provided sponsor posters, and helped organize the event
• Nicole Mathis, who worked behind the scenes to help make the day a huge success.
• Eric Mathis, who came out specifically to help with registration
• Ned Kennedy, Dan Barclay, Mike Girton, Mike Compton, and Neil Gardner, for the cooking and food that everyone is still talking about
• The WWU Men's Rugby team, for volunteering and stepping up all day long
• Avalon Golf Links, for hosting us
• Our sponsors, whose support made the day possible

Caps and T-Shirts: Pre-Order Now

Golfers who purchased a National Champions cap with the Champions Package and received a certificate can claim their cap at the Blue and White Game on campus on Saturday, October 3.

Want a cap or T-shirt of your own? Pre-orders are now open for pickup at the home game on November 14th:

• Caps: $35
• T-Shirts: $25

Pre-order HERE

Stay Connected: Join the WRA

The Golf Day Out is just one way the Western Rugby Alumni supports the program, and with the team heading into its historic D1A debut season, there has never been a better time to get involved. Become a member of the Western Rugby Alumni today and help build on this momentum.

JOIN THE WRA