When former Farmington High School athletic director Byron Olson began organizing a benefit golf tournament to assist 2002 FHS graduate Kyle Malin, he had no idea what a rousing success it would become.Malin, who lost parts of both legs while on combat duty with the United States Army in Afghanistan, is undergoing rehabilitation at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.
All in all, the event designed to provide financial assistance to Malin his wife Alicia and young sons Cy and Kalib raised more than $54,000.
Almost 200 golfers participated in the best-ball scramble held Saturday, Sept. 18, at Heritage Links Golf Club in Lakeville. More than 400 attended the post-tournament dinner that included a huge silent auction and an assortment of raffles.
Retired FHS coach Terry Holmes, Tiger boys golf and girls hockey coach Jon Holmes, 1996 FHS co-Athlete of the Year Scott Holmes and Steve Sabetti, a coach at Lakeville North combined for a 13-under par 59 to win top honors in the golf tournament.
Farmington residents Rod and Pam Frost and Al and Jan Venz combined to win the mixed division.
"It exceeded our wildest expectations," Olson said. "We made double what our goal was. The organizing committee did an awesome job in generating hole sponsors and raffle and silent auction items."
The highlight of the event came during dinner when FHS coach Jon Malin put his son on a speaker phone from San Antonio.
Kyle thanked everyone who helped make the event a success and gave a brief update on how his recovery was progressing.
"In a year or two, I'll be up there walking with you guys," he said.
