The annual Fort Calhoun Gridiron Club Golf Scramble was Friday at River Wilds Golf Club.
The FCHS football program's supporters played 18 holes, raising money and competing for prizes. Coach Zach Byrd, however, said his golf game isn't any good.
“I get out, maybe, once a year,” he explained. “I'm not going to be winning any trophies anytime soon.”
The event did, however, mark a little more than one year of Pioneers football for the coach, who goes into his second season this fall after the 3-6 2023 campaign.
“It's been a lot of growing and learning on my part,” Byrd said. “Been a lot of excitement, though. I like where our kids are at mentally going into the summer. I think we're excited to play football.”
The annual golf scramble is apart of that path toward a new season. All proceeds from the event go to the Fort Calhoun football team.
“We're just trying to support the kids,” Byrd said. “We'll get them some of their team gear, so that way we don't have to go back and ask parents, 'Hey, $20 this, $20 that.'”
Funds raised will also go toward upgrading FCHS equipment. Most notably, Bryd said the program plans to buy Guardian Caps for its players. The soft-shell helmet covers will be worn during practice in hopes of better protecting kids from head injuries.
So, while its football coach may not be capable of turning in the best scorecard after 18 holes, the Fort Calhoun still benefits from the golf played Friday afternoon.
“Obviously, great support out here today,” Byrd said at the Blair course. “So, I think we're ready for the summer and ready for the fall.”
