Held at Gilroy Golf Course, the event kicked off with a luncheon, followed by a 1pm shotgun start, where nine teams played a six-person scramble. The day concluded with a barbecue, raffle and silent auction.

And, of course, like any respectable fundraiser event, it had a guest celebrity on hand.

It so happens that Gilroy girls' golf team member Annie Cockerill is the niece of Golf Channel commentator and former LPGA professional golfer Kay Cockerill.

Cockerill attended, bringing her course skills and another item that had the participants buzzing - a Nike Ignite driver, the same one Tiger Woods uses on the PGA Tour.

"That was the highlight of the raffle," said GHS athletic director Jack Daley. "And the (garden) hose."

Daley and Gilroy boys' and girls' golf coach Eric Kuwada also got a chance to flash their grill skills. The two were in charge of cooking up the tri-tip steaks donated to the barbecue by community members Connie and Tom Gallardo of Gilroy.

According to the cook, all customers went away from the event happy.

"There were no complaints," Daley said.

Several local companies helped out by donating raffle items and sponsoring tees.

"This event wouldn't happen without Longs Drug," Kuwada said. "Without them, there would be a huge expense."

The company donated several key items, including all of the beverages.

Kuwada said about 50 items were raffled off, including rounds of golf to about six local golf courses. The two big silent auction items were a round of golf for four at CordeValle and four lower-box seat tickets to a Giants game, which were donated by Cockerill's husband Danny Dann, who works for the Major League ballclub.

Daley said the fundraiser received a lot of support from Gilroy Golf Club pro Don DeLorenzo and the course's men's club.

"(The men's club) has really supported it over the years and put it on their schedule," Daley said after the event.

Members of the Mustangs' boys' and girls' golf teams were also on hand to help with the event.

The varsity boys even subbed-in to hit tee shots for some of the teams.

Kuwada said the amount of money raised was above the average haul.

"Last year we raised about $5,000," he said.

"This year, we had a smaller turnout but raised enough money."

Another Gilroy High athletics fundraiser is just around the corner. The 25th annual Crab Cioppino Feed will take place May 7 at Christopher Ranch. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at the GHS Web site (www.gilroyhighschool.com) or by calling the athletic office during office hours at 848-7178.

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