A Brief History of the Invest in Youth Golf Classic

Sixteen years strong!

Early in the history of Invest in Youth all operations were managed by our founder, Harriett Morton. As the organization grew to serve more students with a corresponding number of volunteer tutors, the board realized it needed to ease Harriett’s responsibilities and hired its first paid staff member in 2011.

At the time Invest in Youth primarily relied on individual donations and a limited number of grants to fund expenses. To supplement general funding of the organization, two early board members, Brock Loen (then at D.A. Davidson and now at Wells Fargo Advisors) and Casey McFarland (then at Principal Financial Group), launched our first annual Invest in Youth Golf Classic in 2011.

Brock and Casey spent countless hours managing all the logistics of the tournament, including rallying golfers and bringing in sponsors for our first event. They were truly the genesis of this popular event that brings together the Invest in Youth Community. Just like our tagline of One hour, one child, one day a week for a lifetime of dividends, Invest in Youth continues to build on Brock and Casey’s tireless work 15 years ago.

Continuing with the theme of a lifetime of dividends, Blake Loen, Brock’s son, has served as chair of the golf committee for the past two years. Blake is a current volunteer tutor and board member for Invest in Youth and is part of the Loen Curneen Private Wealth Management Group at Wells Fargo Advisors.

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors! We are thrilled with the level of support our sponsors have extended this year. Without their participation this annual event would not be possible. We extend our sincere gratitude to Baird Private Wealth Management, Brighton Jones, Charles Schwab, Chiro One, Columbia Threadneedle Investments, Elizabeth Rudolf, Elliott Bay Brewing Company, Eyes on Fremont, Federated Hermes, The Golf Club at Redmond Ridge, Hartford Funds, The Pioneer Collective, Raymond James, Stifel, Wells Fargo Advisors, and West Seattle Thriftway.

Links to golf classic photo galleries:
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021