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SIU Golf: Bigger & Better

Justin Fetcho knows a little something about building a foundation.

Not necessarily a carpenter, Fetcho, the head men's golf coach at SIU, made waves in his second season for the Salukis, leading them to the school's first ever Missouri Valley Conference Championship this past spring.

One of the building blocks for Fetcho was his inaugural SIU Golf Scramble held last fall at Crab Orchard Golf Course. An event that the Eldorado native said couldn't really have gone any better.

So what's that mean for this year?

Fetcho is hoping for more of the same with a similar format, but knows that the sky is still the limit.

"That first event went as well as it could have," Fetcho said. "When you start something from the ground up - in anything - is very difficult. I was very pleased with the support of the entire Saluki community and we reached several different areas. It wasn't just a Carbondale based group. We had competitors from several cities and states, but I knew then, that the support we had was a sign of things to come."

This year's scramble will be held on September 9, starting at 1 p.m., while the dinner and auction takes play at Pinch Penny Pub Beer Garden on Sept. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m.

The cost for the six-person scramble, which includes lunch and the opportunity to purchase a Saluki golfer to play on your team is $150 for an individual and $900 for a six-some. The cost of the dinner is $20 and includes one complimentary soft drink or draft beer. In addition to a silent action, there will be a live auction that night to purchase Saluki golfers. In addition, such items as rounds of golf at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Victoria National in Evansville and TPC Southward in Memphis are also up for grabs.

Fetcho noted that while men's golf isn't an event where one buys a ticket to watch his team play, this gives the golfing community a chance to come out and be face-to-face with the program and see them up close and personal.

"I know a lot of former players that have a lot of passion for SIU and Saluki golf," Fetcho added. "This event is really special to our program. It's something we don't have, like what football, basketball or baseball might have. This is our one big day and we want to put on the best show."

Prior to the golf scramble, Fetcho will honor and recognize two local icons of the southern Illinois golfing community. Crab Orchard Golf Course pro Steve Heckel and one time Franklin County Club pro Gene Carello. Both are Hall Of Famers for SIU and are two of the more prominent Salukis to have come through the program.

The entry deadline for the scramble is Friday and is limited to the first 22 teams. Last year, Fetcho's event drew 21 teams to Crab Orchard.

"This event isn't just about playing golf. I can use community support in any way, whether that comes from hole sponsorships or donating an item for the auction or raffle. Anything anyone can do, goes a long way and any last dollar helps and because of the generosity and the support of the SIU community, we will be able to travel around to the best events in the country. We have been invited to participate at LSU, University of Arizona, Florida State University, Purdue University and an event co-hosted by Auburn and Kentucky. The support we receive through these events will directly impact us being able to continue to schedule competition against some of the best programs in the country year in and year out."

In the end, it's not just a structure that Fetcho wants to build, but rather a powerhouse.

Michael Dann covers prep and college sports for the Harrisburg Daily Register and Eldorado Daily Journal. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.

SIU Men's Golf Scramble

<p>The Southern Illinois men’s golf program will hold its second-annual Dinner & Auction on September 8-9</p>

<p>The Dinner & Auction will take place at Pinch Penny Pub Beer Garden in Carbondale from 6-9 p.m. The cost is $20 and includes dinner and one complimentary soft drink or draft beer. In addition to a silent auction, there will be a live auction to purchase Saluki golfers</p>

<p>On Friday, beginning with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. at Crab Orchard Golf Club in Carterville, the six-person scramble will include lunch and the opportunity to purchase a Saluki golfer to play on your team. The price is $150 for an individual or $900 for a six-some. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The entry deadline is Friday and is limited to the first 22 teams.<br /><br /></p>