The CSU Rec Center hosted its 4th annual “Golf Scramble” to raise money for student employee scholarships at Bunker Hill Golf Course, Sept. 13. This year, the event broke previous records by hosting an all-time high of 116 golfers who raised $8,350.

This event was created and founded by Christopher Stewart, the assistant director at the Rec, with the goal of bringing Cleveland State students and staff together through golf. Money raised would go to the Rec Center’s “Excellence Fund.” 

“Our hope was to start an event that would be off-campus and unique,” Stewart said. “We wanted to find a way to fundraise to fund student scholarships within our department, and also for operational enhancements within the recreational center that would impact everyone who uses the facilities.”

Stewart said the event started small, with 73 golfers in 2021, but continued to grow each year in numbers and funds raised. This year, over 100 golfers teed off at the picturesque course in Medina, Ohio.

“It’s been awesome to see the event grow,” Stewart said. “Not just from our students, but also from our sponsorships.” 

The event started at 8 a.m. with breakfast and a putting contest. After warming up, the golfers played 18 holes, joined by a special guest — CSU President Dr. Laura Bloomberg.
 

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“This was actually the first year that President Bloomberg was able to attend,” Stewart said. “It was really exciting. It’s fun to have the support of the president.”

Another highlight of the event was the ball toss competition, in which participants could purchase a $5 numbered golf ball which is then tossed out onto the green. If a ball bounced into the hole, its sponsor was the winner, with a $250 prize.

According to Stewart, the ball toss can be a fun way to get people involved who still want to give back but don’t want to play a full round of golf or aren’t able to attend.

“A staff member’s great-grandma won one year from out-of-state,” Stewart said. “Just selling 500 ball toss balls is enough to fund four scholarships. That’s a really powerful way that we’re able to make an impact.”

Stewart hopes that the event will continue to grow, setting the date of the 5th annual "Golf Scramble" for Sept. 19, 2025.