CSM Foundation Raises $73,687 at 25th Golf Classic

LA PLATA, Md. (Sept. 1, 2016)—College of Southern Maryland's friends raised $73,687 in sponsorships and in-kind donations at the CSM Foundation's 25th Annual Golf Classic. The tournament, held at Swan Point Yacht & Country Club on Aug. 18, supports CSM Foundation initiatives which include athletics and student scholarships for credit and workforce development programs.

This was the 25th time that Swan Point has hosted the event and the 15th year that Marrick Homes has been the tournament's grand sponsor.

"Over its lifetime, this signature event has brought together golf enthusiasts, college alumni, community leaders and the business community to raise more than $700,000 for scholarships for CSM students as well as for CSM athletic programs," Dr. Brad Gottfried, CSM president, said as he welcomed guests to the event. " I would like to thank you for coming to the tournament in support of your community college and its students. This event wouldn't be possible without the hard work of our outstanding planning committee led by CSM Foundation Events Chair Nancy Hempstead."

Student-athletes were on-hand as volunteers and to provide a rousing send-off as the 148 golfers took off in their carts for the start of play.

Roger Welch, a former CSM student, 2002 NJCAA National Golf Champion and CSM 2014 Hall of Fame inductee, attended the tournament again this year. Welch helped raise money for the CSM Alumni Scholarship during the day. He stayed at the par-4 second hole, where he would take a drive for any foursome. The tournament was captain's choice—where everyone takes a tee shot and the team captain selects the best drive.

"I am excited to see CSM alumni who have returned to give back and support the college in our annual Golf Classic. It is with their success and your support we are able to continue to help generations of CSM students who are our future teachers, engineers, athletes and tradesman," Gottfried said. "In recognition of the CSM alumni, last year we started Alumni Row, which is visible on the other side of the putting green as you drive out."

On Alumni Row, CSM graduates purchased signs with their names and their year of graduation on them. Proceeds from Alumni Row benefit the CSM Alumni Scholarship.

CSM student Will Parr, captain of the Hawks men's soccer team and recipient of the Marrick Homes Scholarship, spoke.

"I am excited to be the third in my family to attend the College of Southern Maryland. Both my older brother and sister are alums, and I look forward to being able to share that Hawk alumni connection with them when I graduate next spring," he said. "CSM brings together a diverse community and what I have found across the college's campuses, is that the students are united by the common goal of receiving the best education at an affordable cost. Knowledge is power and because of the education we are getting at CSM we have the power to mold our learning, futures and opportunities beyond graduation.

Parr thanked Marrick Homes for awarding him a scholarship. Also attending were Marrick scholarship recipients and student-athletes Zachary Wehausen from the baseball team and Corrine Fernald from the softball team.

"Being selected as a scholarship recipient has a powerful impact on students," Parr said. It certainly helps keep our focus on education rather than worrying about paying for college, but even more it boosts our confidence level, that someone cares enough about me as a student to help pay for my college education."

A Sip & Swing event, sponsored by G.S. Proctor & Associates, was held for the second year for alumni and friends who were unable to devote time to play 18 holes of golf. The event 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.

After a shotgun start at 9 a.m. and lunch on the course, golfers and participants in the Sip & Swing instruction sessions made their way to the club house to hear from the event's honorary chairman, s tate Sen. Thomas "Mac" Middleton during dinner. This year marks the 50th anniversary of his graduation from CSM.

"Senator Middleton is by no means a stranger to our college," Gottfried said. Middleton graduated from CSM, then known as Charles County Community College, in 1966. He was one of 14 graduates who received their associate's degree that year at the college.

Gottfried said Middleton's association with the college prepared him for great achievements throughout his long and distinguished career as a public servant. Middleton has served as president of the Charles County commissioners, been a member of the state Senate since 1995 and currently serves as the chairman of the influential Senate Finance Committee.

Middleton shared his memories of the early years of his college career—from the various locations in La Plata that housed the college, to the offerings of only night classes, to faculty members and his time on the basketball team.

"I was on the team because they needed somebody. I didn't know how to play basketball. … I was actually a benchwarmer," he joked, before noting that he only made one basket in his entire career on the team.

"The College of Southern Maryland has been a big part of my life," Middleton said. "I consider the college the jewel, the crown jewel, of Southern Maryland. It is one of the best institutions, the best community college in the entire [Maryland Association of Community Colleges] system, as far as I'm concerned. I just look at the years, and how we started with 14 students. … Now look at where we are."

In closing, he thanked the golfers and guests for their support of the college. "We are such a wonderful community, we built this wonderful community college," he said.

Following Middleton's remarks, Hempstead joined by CSM Foundation Director Kim Rosenfield closed the program with the presentation of awards and prizes.

First-place honors went to the team from McDonald & Eudy Printers Inc.—Kevin Bowen, John Bowling, Cas Dickerson and Michael McDonald Sr. Second place went to the Raley Watts & O'Neill team of David Bean, George Heinze, Shannon Misner and Joe O'Neill. The third-place team—Dale Cornette, Donnie Mister, Chris Simpson and Gary Simpson—was from Simpson's Olde Towne Insurance and Ledo Pizza of La Plata. The 25th-place commemorative trophy went to the Sine family team of Evan Sine, Joan Sine, Tara Sine Landis and Andrea Sine Watkins.

Closest-to-the-pin contest winners were Brian Compton and Leah Estevez. Longest-drive contest winners were D.R. Cox and Watkins. Straightest-drive contest winners were Danny Michael and Hempstead.

Corporate sponsors were Chris Rush and Mark Posten, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Maryland Independent and Old Line Bank. Mulligan sponsors were McDonald & Eudy Printers Inc., SMECO and University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center. Community Partner sponsors were Calvert Memorial Hospital, Coldwell Banker Jay Lilly Real Estate, Community Bank of the Chesapeake, DRN Environmental Solutions LLC, Nancy Hempstead, Pickett & Oliverio LLP, Quality Built Homes, Specialized Patterns in Training and The Rex. Bayside Auto Group was the sponsor of the Hole in One to Win a 2016 Kia Optima.

Putting-contest sponsors were Community Bank of the Chesapeake and Raley Watts & O'Neill. Contest sponsors were Buddy Sprague, Dixie Miller and Jim Ritter, Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, Marrick Homes and Southern Solutions LLC. Food and beverage sponsors were Bozick Distributors, Burger King of Southern Maryland, CDL Inc., Chick-fil-A of La Plata, Clubtails, Food Lion of La Plata and Giant of La Plata. In-kind donations were provided by Apple Spice Junction, The Carousel, Joson Fine Jewelry and Home Boutique, Kemper Properties, Ledo Pizza of La Plata and Proforma Johnston & Associates.

The CSM Foundation's 26th Annual Golf Classic will be Aug. 10, 2017. Marrick Homes has pledged support for the event through 2019.

Photos from this year's classic are available at csmphoto.zenfolio.com/25thgolf.

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 Foundation.csmd.edu.