LA PLATA, Md.—College of Southern Maryland's friends and supporters raised $83,348 in sponsorships, in-kind donations and greens fees at the college's 24th Annual Golf Classic. The tournament, held at Swan Point Yacht & Country Club on Aug. 13, supported CSM Foundation initiatives which include athletics and student scholarships for credit and non-credit workforce development programs.
Returning to co-chair the golf committee this year were foundation chair and class of '87 alumna Chris Rush and her husband Mark Posten.
"Over the past 20 years, this tournament has become a signature event for the College of Southern Maryland," said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried. "We are grateful to the many sponsors and players who participate year after year, among them Marrick Homes, which has been the tournament's grand sponsor for the past 15 years and has signed on for the next five years. The funds play a vital role in supporting our student scholarship fund and our athletic programs."
During opening remarks, CSM engineering student Diana Cruz of Lexington Park thanked participants for their generosity. "As a current full-time student, softball player and hospital employee I would like to say, on behalf of my fellow students at CSM, we appreciate all you do to make college affordable and a great experience. If not for the CSM Foundation and people who support the college I would not be able to have such a great college experience," said Cruz who is recipient of a Marrick Homes scholarship.
The day included two honorary chairs: CSM Hall of Famers Danny Williams a class of '68 alum, who served the college for 41 years as an instructor and coach, and Roger Welch, who as a freshman became the 2002 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Golf Champion. Welch participated in a fundraiser on the second hole, hitting tee shots for a donation to the foundation.
"It's good to give back to the college that afforded me so many opportunities," said Welch. Following his national championship, Welch was offered numerous scholarships to pursue his bachelor's degree and he chose Southern Illinois University, he said, because "the people reminded me of people in Southern Maryland and I felt immediately like I was part of a family."
Student athletes were on-hand as volunteers and to provide a rousing send-off as golfers took off in their carts for the start of play. Athletics is one of the many programs that receive funding from proceeds from the event.
"I arrived in Southern Maryland with $150 in my pocket. I graduated from CSM, went on to earn a bachelor's degree and become executive vice president of a billion dollar organization," said Rush on how the college provided a solid foundation for a successful career from which she recently retired.
"We'd like to thank the many sponsors, golfers and volunteers for their generous support. It is through their generosity that the foundation is able to provide our students with the resources and educational opportunities needed to succeed," said Michelle Goodwin, vice president of Advancement.
First place honors went to Johnny Bowling, Cas Dickerson, Jay Dove and Michael McDonald Sr. of team McDonald & Eudy Printers, Inc. Second place honors went to Rod Langway, Mark Posten, Chris Rush and Joe Wells. The third-place team was Greg Cockerham and Chris Simpson of Community Bank of the Chesapeake, and Mike Besche and Rick Tepel of Raley Watts and O'Neill.
Closest-to-the-pin contest winners were Dale Cornette and Sonja Cox. Longest-drive contest winners were Eric Bailey and Erin Lyddane. Straightest-drive contest winners were Robby Brown and Belinda Kennon.
The Golf Classic is a signature event for the CSM Foundation and supported by Marrick Homes as the grand tournament sponsor for more than 15 years.
Executive sponsor was Southern Maryland Newspapers, corporate sponsors were Chris Rush and Mark Posten, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union and Old Line Bank. Mulligan sponsors were Community Bank of the Chesapeake and McDonald & Eudy Printers, Inc. Community sponsors were Atlantic Industrial, Mechanical & Electrical, Coldwell Banker Jay Lilly Real Estate, SMECO and University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. Contest sponsors were Buddy Sprague, Community Bank of the Chesapeake, Dr. and Mrs. John Sine, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Marrick Homes, Foundation Director Nancy Hempstead, Raley, Watts & O'Neill Insurance and Financial Services, Southern Solutions, LLC. Hole-in-one sponsor was Waldorf Chevrolet Cadillac. Breakfast was provided by Chick-fil-A of La Plata. Lunch was provided by Carrabba's Italian Grill of Waldorf. Beverages were provided by Dr. and Mrs. Richard Beers, Bozick Distributors, Inc., DRN Environmental Solutions, LLC, Royalle Services, Inc. and The Rex. In-kind donations were provided by Joson Fine Jewelry & Home Boutique, JW Jewelers, Foundation Director Linda Cox, ProForma Johnson & Associates and Danny Williams.
The Sip & Swing event, for community members and college alumni who were unable to devote time to play a full round of golf was sponsored by Quality Built Homes, Inc. Participants began with a four-course wine and food tasting and then moved out to the driving range and putting green for clinics on putting, chipping and driving. Also new this year was Alumni Row, with opportunities for those alumni of CSM to show their support with a tee sign indicating their name and year of graduation.
"We wanted to find ways to involve the entire community in this popular event, whether or not you are a golfer or have time to participate in a golf tournament," said CSM Development Director Chelsea Brown on the idea behind Sip & Swing and Alumni Row.
The CSM Foundation 25th Annual Golf Classic will be Aug. 11, 2016.
Photos from this year's classic are available at http://csmphoto.zenfolio.com/24thgolfclassic.
The CSM Foundation manages more than 100 scholarships that help provide financial assistance for merit and for students in need. Scholarship categories include nursing, business, childcare, criminal justice, communications, fine arts, engineering hospitality, social sciences, teacher education and nuclear engineering technology as well as general studies programs. In addition, students can apply for scholarships geared toward cancer survivors, returning adults and veterans as well as for non-credit trades and continuing education programs. For information on the CSM Foundation or to make a contribution to scholarship funds, visit www.csmd.edu/Foundation/.