Ferris State Softball Enjoys Record-Setting Golf Outing To Begin School Year

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Big Rapids, Mich. - Hard work paid off for the Ferris State University softball program as the Bulldogs registered a record-breaking day for their annual golf outing held this past Sunday (Aug. 24) at Clear Lake Golf Club near Big Rapids. 

Besides a large number of family and friends who came out to support the event, the program also surpassed expectations and topped an event record with more than $10,000 in financial support raised for the program, which ranks as one of the team's top fundraisers on a yearly basis. 

The support and dollars raised by coaches and student-athletes in the softball program exceeded nearly every other similar type of university golf outing held this past summer. 

"We're so thankful for the support and contributions that will have a huge impact on our program," said head coach Sarah Rotta, who completed her first season at the Bulldog helm this past spring. "We had a great crowd of family and friends, many of whom also worked hard to gain sponsorships for our outing and we appreciate all their efforts." 

Members of the Bulldog softball team were also on hand during the golf outing to meet and greet with many of the participants. A dinner was held following the four-person scramble on the 18-hole course and a wide range of raffle prizes were also handed out at the conclusion of the day's events. Both a men's and mixed division were held. 

The highly-successful golf outing came on the heels of record turnouts for both the Ferris State men's basketball and hockey golf events held in late July and early August at Katke Golf Course in Big Rapids as support for all Bulldog programs continues to grow.

"It was great to see all the support from our family and friends," said Bulldog softball sophomore pitcher Megan Hiler. "The fact we were able to raise a record amount of support for our program is awesome and it was good to see all our hard work paid off." 

Sunday's golf outing helped kick off another year for Ferris State Softball as team student-athletes returned to Big Rapids prior to the official start of fall semester classes on Monday.  

The Bulldogs are currently midst fall practice drills and will play a fall slate of games in September and October. The official 2015 spring campaign will get underway in late February and early March. 

Ferris State lost only a pair of seniors from last season's team and will return 11 letterwinners to go with six newcomers for the 2015 season. 

"The golf outing was a great kickoff to another school year and we're excited to get back on the field and build towards next spring," Rotta said.