The 21st Annual Don James Golf Classic, presented by Cobalt Mortgage, set a fundraising record this year at the Golf Club at Newcastle on Sept. 5. The event raised more than $250,000 for community youth programs at the Kirkland Boys & Girls Club.

The fundraiser was started by former University of Washington head football coach and Kirkland resident Don James, who died last October.

The club sold out both courses at Newcastle with more than 288 golfers and 40 sponsors.

Cobalt Mortgage presented the fundraiser for the 11th year in a row, with media sponsors ROOT Sports and KJR Sports Radio.

“Cobalt Mortgage continues to show their dedication to charity and community outreach time and again through the Don James Golf Classic and their Dollars for Scholars Program,” King County Boys & Girls Club spokesperson Meg Diemer said. “Their involvement with the Boys & Girls Club is unparalleled and truly inspiring.”

The silent auction was sponsored by Complete Office. Selling out at a record pace, the tournament added a Sunrise Golf Experience. Sunrise golfers enjoyed their 18 holes at a 7 a.m. tee time, then joined everyone for lunch provided by Ezell’s Famous Chicken. During the lunch, participants enjoyed mulligan packages, tee prizes, a performance by the UW Pep Band and joined special guests Warren Moon and Lee Elder.

The noon shotgun start was complete with hole-in-one contests, raffles and more. After playing the rounds, the golfers came in for a cocktail hour and the silent auction, followed by dinner and a live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items.

“During the auction, guests heard from Carol James, who spoke of how the beloved Coach James recruited Moon and then called him to the stage,” Diemer said. “Moon spoke passionately about mentorship in Boys & Girls Clubs and in the game of football and about the impact James had on his life.”

Noticeably absent this year was the Dawgfather himself.

“The Boys & Girls Club feels honored to carry out his mission to help kids who need it the most in our community,” Diener said, “echoing the sentiment, ‘Do it for the kids,’ which James spoke often regarding the Boys & Girls Club.”

The event had many sponsors, donors, attendees and volunteers this year, said Diener.

To see a full list of sponsors for this event visit www.positiveplace.org/djgc.