36th Annual Capital City Golf Classic
- Jessica Lee
- Aug 25
- 10 min read
The 2025 Capital City Golf Classic: Event Details
The 36th Annual Capital City Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, September 22, 2025 at North Ridge Country Club in Check-in begins around 8:45 AM and a shotgun start kicks off the tournament at 10:30 AM. This charity golf event is organized by the Rotary Club of the Capital City and serves as the club’s flagship fall fundraiser. Each year, roughly 140 local and regional golfers (forming about 36 teams) participate in the Classic. The primary purpose is to raise funds for Rotary charitable causes – chiefly the club’s Robert N. Styres Scholarship Fund – as well as other community service projects. In fact, over $30,000 is raised annually, with the tournament’s cumulative proceeds nearing $400,000 to date (as of 2025). The Rotary Club hopes the 2025 event will build on this legacy and potentially push the total funds raised since 1989 beyond the $400k mark.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
Local businesses and supporters can back the event at several levels. The sponsorship packages for 2025 are:
Gold Sponsor – $2,750: Includes prominent recognition (company logo on the official on-site banner and all printed/online media), six tee sign displays, plus one complimentary foursome (4 players) with all extra contest packages
Silver Sponsor – $2,000: Includes company name/logo on event media and three tee signs, plus one complimentary golf foursome (4 players)
Bronze Sponsor – $1,500: Includes company name/logo on one tee sign and one complimentary golf team (4 players)
All sponsor teams receive full tournament entry for four golfers. Sponsors are encouraged to confirm their participation early, team slots are limited to 36 and filled on a first-come, first-served. In addition to these major sponsorships, there are other ways to support the Classic: individuals or companies may donate raffle prizes, provide gifts for winning teams, or contribute cash donations of any . All donations go to the Rotary Club of the Capital City Foundation (a 501(c)(3) charitable arm), and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
History and Tradition of the Tournament
Established in 1989, the Capital City Golf Classic has become a beloved annual tradition for Raleigh’s Rotary. With the 2025 event marking the 36th edition, the tournament boasts over three and a half decades of history. (It likely would be the 37th year since inception, but the count reflects one skipped year during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the numbering at 36th in 2025.) Each fall, Rotarians and supporters have gathered at North Ridge Country Club to enjoy a day of golf and fellowship in support of good causes. Over the years the Classic has grown in scale, today hosting around 35–36 teams of four, yet it remains rooted in a spirit of camaraderie and service.
Notable milestones include the launch of the Styres Scholarship Fund in 2000, which gave the tournament a dedicated philanthropic focus. By the early 2000s, the Golf Classic’s proceeds were fully dedicated to funding college scholarships for local students, honoring the memory of Rotarian Robert “Bob” Styres (more on this below). The event’s longevity is doalso marked by significant fundraising achievements: by 2010, the Classic had raised well into six figures total for charity, and by 2023, it surpassed the $350,000 cumulative fundraising. Today at nearly $400k raised lifetime, it stands as one of the longest-running charity golf tournaments in the Raleigh area. Rotary members take pride in the tradition, passing the torch of organizing the Classic to new volunteers each year, while many sponsors and players return annually.
Rotary volunteers and golfers share moments of fun on the course
The tournament atmosphere is one of friendly competition and goodwill. The format is a typical golf scramble with a shotgun start, allowing all teams to begin play simultaneously across North Ridge’s course. Contests like mulligans, red tees, raffles, and team prizes add to the fun (Gold sponsors even receive complimentary raffle/mulligan packages for their team). A post-round awards reception is usually held to recognize the top teams and distribute raffle prizes. Participants consistently report having an enjoyable experience: “A great time was had by all!” the club noted in its recap of the 2023 Classic. In short, the event strikes a balance between social enjoyment and meaningful fundraising. As a Rotary publication summed up, the tournament allows people to “have fun and make a difference” exemplifying Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
Community Impact: The Styres Scholarship Fund and More
The Robert N. Styres Scholarship Fund is the centerpiece beneficiary of the Capital City Golf Classic. Established by the Rotary Club in 2000, this fund was named in honor of the late Bob Styres, a long-time club member who embodied Rotary’s ideals of service and mentorship. The scholarship’s mission is to enable deserving Wake County students to pursue higher education, especially those who have “demonstrated need and overcome obstacles” in their young lives. Rather than focusing strictly on top grades, the selection emphasizes resilience and potential. Each year, at least one graduating senior is awarded the Styres Scholarship, which provides support for up to four years of college (renewable annually given the student’s progress). Typically the scholarship awards around $4,000 per year for tuition and expenses (about $16,000 over four years) – a significant help for a student with financial need. Since its inception, the Styres Scholarship program has awarded over $270,000 to 29 students (as of the mid-2020s). At present, six recent recipients are actively pursuing their college degrees thanks to this fund. The impact of these scholarships is profound: many recipients are first-generation college students or have overcome personal adversity, and this support often “changes the trajectory” of their lives. Rotary Club members act not only as financial sponsors but also as mentors to these scholars – inviting them to meetings and encouraging their success throughout college.
Beyond the scholarship, proceeds from the Golf Classic help fuel the club’s other community service initiatives. The Rotary Club of the Capital City engages in numerous local projects each year, aligned with Rotary International’s areas of focus. For example, the club supports programs in basic education and literacy, maternal/child health, disease prevention, economic development, and more. Funds raised have been used for projects like providing school supplies, supporting youth leadership programs, and contributing to local non-profits that address hunger and housing (among other needs). The breadth of causes is large but all share the common goal of “doing good” in the Raleigh community. The tournament’s fundraising thereby extends far beyond the golf course: by bolstering the club’s foundation, it enables service projects that touch countless lives throughout the year. Club members frequently express pride in this impact. As one Rotarian put it, “Love supporting the Styres Scholarship fund! What a great cause for the community.” The Golf Classic has become a vehicle through which local businesses and golfers can give back to the community in a tangible way, with the scholarship students as living proof of its benefits.
Sponsors and Supporters over the Years
The success of the Capital City Golf Classic is due in large part to its generous sponsors. Over the years, numerous Raleigh-area companies, organizations, and individuals have stepped up to sponsor the tournament at the Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels. These sponsors not only provide financial support but often field teams to participate in the event, creating a true community partnership. Typically, each Gold, Silver, and Bronze sponsor receives prominent recognition. For example, Gold sponsors have their logos displayed on a banner at the tournament, on multiple tee boxes (6), and in all event media. Silver sponsors are featured on three tee signs and event communications, and Bronze sponsors on at least one tee sign. The Rotary Club publicly thanks all sponsors, and players will see sponsor logos around the course (tee box signage, banners, etc.) on tournament day. In addition, many sponsors donate prizes or in-kind support, such as items for the raffle or contest prizes, further enhancing the event.
Some local businesses have become regular sponsors of the Classic, returning year after year. For instance, companies in industries like real estate, finance, construction, legal services, and consulting have all been among past sponsors (often reflecting the professional makeup of the Rotary Club’s members and network). While an official list of every past sponsor isn’t published on the club’s site, one can often spot recurring names on tournament materials and social media shout-outs. Sponsors appreciate the dual benefit of supporting Rotary’s cause and gaining exposure among the affluent Rotary and North Ridge community. And for many, it’s simply a fun tradition, bringing clients or employees out to golf for charity.
Crucially, the structure of the event means every sponsor is also a participant: each sponsorship includes a team entry, so sponsors literally “have skin in the game.” This creates a collegial atmosphere where business leaders and community members golf side by side for charity. The Rotary Club also welcomes smaller contributors; not everyone has to be a major sponsor to help. Folks can sponsor a single hole, contribute a raffle item, or volunteer time. In 2023, for example, the tournament featured dozens of hole sponsors and prize donors in addition to the title sponsors all recognized during the event. The inclusive sponsorship model has enabled the Classic to thrive financially while building goodwill. “Our sponsors and golfers are the lifeblood of this event,” the club notes, “and we are grateful for each of them.”
Participation in the Golf Classic is typically arranged through sponsorships, but the tournament maintains a full field and welcomes new players as space allows. In total, up to 36 teams (144 golfers) can take part, corresponding to the capacity of a shotgun start on an 18-hole course. Most teams are assembled by sponsoring organizations, but on occasion, if a sponsoring company doesn’t fill all four slots, individual Rotarians or guests may join in to complete a foursome. The event is popular, so the club emphasizes the first-come, first-served nature of team. In practice, the roster often fills up well in advance.
On tournament day, the format is a captain’s choice scramble, meaning each team of four golfers hits from the best ball lie on each shot, which makes play more fun and forgiving. A shotgun start at 10:30 AM ensures all teams begin simultaneously on different holes, finishing around the same time in the afternoon. North Ridge’s professional staff and Rotary volunteers coordinate the logistics, including cart assignments and scorekeeping. The club usually arranges for refreshments on the course (drink stations or beverage carts) and a luncheon or reception after play, where winners are announced. Prizes are awarded for top finishing teams and sometimes special contests (closest-to-pin, longest drive, etc.). There is also a charity raffle drawing during the post-golf gathering with items donated by sponsors (e.g. gift baskets, electronics, vacation stays) adding excitement for all attendees. Players often purchase raffle tickets and mulligans as additional donations to boost the fundraising.
Registration fees per se are covered by the sponsorship contributions. A sponsoring company that opts to use its complimentary team incurs no further entry cost for those four golfers; everything from greens fees to cart, meal, and goodies are included. If an individual were to join a team, typically their spot is paid for by the sponsor or by making a donation to the Rotary Foundation. This structure keeps the focus on sponsorship fundraising rather than individual golfer tickets. Spectators are not a big factor (North Ridge is a private club), but Rotary welcomes volunteers and guests at the awards reception. Importantly, 100% of net proceeds from teams and sponsors go toward the charitable causes the club works with North Ridge to keep costs reasonable so that as much money as possible flows to the scholarship fund.
As the event approaches, Rotary Club members coordinate the pairings and make sure everyone has the information needed. Golfers receive emails with details on attire (collared shirts, etc., as North Ridge dress code applies), directions, and the day’s schedule. The emphasis is on having a relaxing and enjoyable day. Many participants are repeat players who know the drill; first-timers are quickly made to feel welcome. The Rotary volunteers even often organize creative touches, for example, displaying a photo of the scholarship recipients or a banner about Rotary’s work, reminding everyone of why they are out there playing. All of this contributes to a smoothly run tournament that reflects both Rotary fellowship and effective fundraising.
Venue Spotlight
The choice of North Ridge Country Club as the long-standing host venue is no accident. North Ridge is one of Raleigh’s premier private golf facilities. Located in North Raleigh (off Falls of Neuse Road), this 36-hole country club offers two championship golf courses (the Lakes and the Oaks) set amidst lush rolling terrain and upscale residential neighborhoods. North Ridge has a storied reputation; it has been consistently ranked among the top clubs in North Carolina and is recognized as a “Platinum Club of America”-rated facility. (Platinum Club status is a prestigious designation awarded to the top 5% of private clubs nationwide, indicating excellence in quality and amenities.) For example, North Ridge boasts a 70,000 sq. ft. clubhouse, multiple dining venues, tennis and pool facilities, and immaculate course conditions year-round. It has hosted professional tournaments in the past (such as the PGA Tour’s American Defender Classic in the 1970s) and regularly hosts charity and corporate golf outings in the region.
For the Rotary Club and its sponsors, having the Golf Classic at North Ridge adds a level of prestige and enjoyment to the event. Golfers get to play on beautiful, well-manicured courses that challenge players of all skill levels. The club’s staff provide professional tournament services from managing the shotgun start to scoring which helps the event run smoothly each year. Many participants also appreciate the chance to experience North Ridge, since it is a member-owned private club not open to the general public outside of events. The Rotary Club’s weekly meetings are actually held at another club (Carolina Country Club), but North Ridge has been the home of the Golf Classic for decades. The partnership is strong; North Ridge often appears in Rotary’s descriptions as a “Platinum-rated” venue underscoring the high quality of the experience.
Importantly, North Ridge’s support for charitable events aligns with its role in the community. The club management has welcomed the Rotary tournament and worked to accommodate it each year, even as scheduling and course maintenance must be arranged. By hosting the Classic, North Ridge helps Rotary raise funds for education and community service a point of pride for both organizations. The scenic setting of the course (with its lakes, oaks, and well-kept greens) also makes for great photo opportunities and memorable moments for the golfers. Rain or shine, the show goes on; in some years weather has posed challenges, but the tournament has managed to complete play or reschedule as needed, thanks to the flexibility of North Ridge. Overall, the venue’s excellence is a key ingredient in the Classic’s long-running success. As one might say, Rotarians get to “play where the pros play,” all for a good cause.
Awesome!!