By Dee Camp
Chronicle staff

     OKANOGAN - High school golf supporters are following the boys soccer program lead and are raising money in hopes of reinstating the golf team next spring.
     School board members suspended high school golf and boys soccer in July as a money-saving measure. Soccer players are trying to raise more around $2,300 so they can play this spring.
     Parent Randy Kelley asked the board Sept. 23 to reinstate golf. The board, including Kelley's wife, Rae Jean, agreed to allow reinstatement as long as there's no cost to the district.
     The Kelleys' son, Tanner, is a golfer and is one of three Okanogan boys who participated in the state 1A golf championship last spring. Cody Wells and Ryan Price also competed.
     Kelley said three or four other students also plan to compete in the co-ed golf program next spring.
     “As a parent of this young man who has found a true passion in golf, I wish to see him have the opportunity to compete, if collectively we can find a way to bring golf back for 2010,” Kelley wrote in a letter to the board.
     Golf cost $8,879 last spring, Superintendent Richard Johnson said. That included salary and benefits, $6,104; transportation, $1,933; substitute teacher costs, $792, and Washington Interscholastic Activities Association sports fees, $50.
     Kelley proposed raising at least $2,000 through donations and various fund raising activities, asking coach Aaron Nickelson to donate all of his salary back to the school district or, if that’s not possible, having the district arrange for someone else as a volunteer coach.
     “I respect whatever decision coach Nickelson makes,” Kelley said. “My objective is to do what is reasonable and necessary to allow the Okanogan School District to reinstate golf for the spring 2010 season.”
     Nickelson said he is checking to see how the request relates to his union contract.
     He said he plans to attend the next school board meeting on Oct. 28 to speak about the team.
     Kelley also suggested the district provide an alternate vehicle and fuel for away matches.
     “There is already discussion occurring along these lines with several parents,” he said.
     Kelley said coaches and successful team members’ expenses should be covered for travel during post-season play.
     He proposed that parents and community members create a fund-raising committee for golf.