thedrifter
04-11-07, 07:34 AM
April 11, 2007 - 12:00AM
MCCC hollers FOUR!
CHRISSY VICK
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The fourth Marine Corps Celebrity Classic may have a new name, but it will also hit another first - a new number.
More than 240 players are already signed up for the annual pro-am part of the golf tournament benefiting military charities - the biggest in its history, said project manager Rosie Jones. To accommodate the growing numbers, the event will be played on two golf courses: Paradise Point Golf Course aboard Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville Country Club.
The tournament is scheduled for June 6-10.
"This is a very unique event as it's the only one played aboard a military installation," Jones said. "It was born as a collaborative effort between the base and the civilian community."
Splitting the golfers between two courses helps bring a bigger portion of the event into the communities surrounding Camp Lejeune, she said.
Local media were invited to a golf outing Tuesday afternoon with former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, NBA all-star and Duke great Jack Marin, NFL wide receiver Mike Siani and NHL all-star goalie Don Edwards - four celebrities who have been a part of the tournament since its inception in 2004. Edwards is a former winner here.
"This is important stuff," said McMahon after a press conference Tuesday. "These guys put their life on the line for us, and we need to do what we can to help them."
McMahon said he spent five days with the troops in Iraq earlier this year and that a lot of good was being done there.
"Hopefully one of these days it will start being reported that way," he said.
About 50 celebrities are already signed up for this year's tournament, including former professional athletes, actors, comedians and political figures. Many have played here before. The list includes former vice president Dan Quayle, actor John Ashton and a number of sports stars.
Celebrities come out because of the good cause, said McMahon. Last year the tournament raised $42,000 for Disabled Sports USA, $34,200 for the USO of the Carolinas and $8,300 for Project Care.
This year's charities include Disabled Sports USA, the USO of the Carolinas, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and Hope for the Warriors.
Jones wants to top last year's numbers.
"We're hoping to exceed $100,000 this year," she said. "I think we can do that."
Kirk Bauer of Disabled Sports USA said the proceeds are changing the lives of wounded warriors around the country through the Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project. The organization works with the war-wounded at bases around the country and each of the nation's key military hospitals to help troops work through their injuries with occupational and physical therapy through various sports like skiing and golfing.
He cited service members who had been helped, including one lieutenant who had his leg amputated and was skiing with Disabled Sports USA 45 days after the operation. The program has also helped Camp Lejeune's wounded by donating an adaptive golf cart and other equipment and taking them on skiing trips to Virginia and Colorado.
"These are all great results of the generosity here in Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune," Bauer said. "Part of what we're trying to do here is create a group of people who are living independently and following their dreams."
The tournament includes a two-day pro-am allowing sponsors and Marines to play golf with celebrities and a two-day celebrity tournament, both beginning at 9 a.m. Family Night with the Stars will be held on June 9 aboard Camp Lejeune, while various golf, tennis, swimming, skateboarding and bowling clinics will be led by the celebrities and held at various locations.
For more information or to volunteer for the event, visit the Web site www.mcccgolf.com or call 388-2827.
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick at cvic
Ellie
MCCC hollers FOUR!
CHRISSY VICK
DAILY NEWS STAFF
The fourth Marine Corps Celebrity Classic may have a new name, but it will also hit another first - a new number.
More than 240 players are already signed up for the annual pro-am part of the golf tournament benefiting military charities - the biggest in its history, said project manager Rosie Jones. To accommodate the growing numbers, the event will be played on two golf courses: Paradise Point Golf Course aboard Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville Country Club.
The tournament is scheduled for June 6-10.
"This is a very unique event as it's the only one played aboard a military installation," Jones said. "It was born as a collaborative effort between the base and the civilian community."
Splitting the golfers between two courses helps bring a bigger portion of the event into the communities surrounding Camp Lejeune, she said.
Local media were invited to a golf outing Tuesday afternoon with former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon, NBA all-star and Duke great Jack Marin, NFL wide receiver Mike Siani and NHL all-star goalie Don Edwards - four celebrities who have been a part of the tournament since its inception in 2004. Edwards is a former winner here.
"This is important stuff," said McMahon after a press conference Tuesday. "These guys put their life on the line for us, and we need to do what we can to help them."
McMahon said he spent five days with the troops in Iraq earlier this year and that a lot of good was being done there.
"Hopefully one of these days it will start being reported that way," he said.
About 50 celebrities are already signed up for this year's tournament, including former professional athletes, actors, comedians and political figures. Many have played here before. The list includes former vice president Dan Quayle, actor John Ashton and a number of sports stars.
Celebrities come out because of the good cause, said McMahon. Last year the tournament raised $42,000 for Disabled Sports USA, $34,200 for the USO of the Carolinas and $8,300 for Project Care.
This year's charities include Disabled Sports USA, the USO of the Carolinas, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and Hope for the Warriors.
Jones wants to top last year's numbers.
"We're hoping to exceed $100,000 this year," she said. "I think we can do that."
Kirk Bauer of Disabled Sports USA said the proceeds are changing the lives of wounded warriors around the country through the Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project. The organization works with the war-wounded at bases around the country and each of the nation's key military hospitals to help troops work through their injuries with occupational and physical therapy through various sports like skiing and golfing.
He cited service members who had been helped, including one lieutenant who had his leg amputated and was skiing with Disabled Sports USA 45 days after the operation. The program has also helped Camp Lejeune's wounded by donating an adaptive golf cart and other equipment and taking them on skiing trips to Virginia and Colorado.
"These are all great results of the generosity here in Jacksonville and Camp Lejeune," Bauer said. "Part of what we're trying to do here is create a group of people who are living independently and following their dreams."
The tournament includes a two-day pro-am allowing sponsors and Marines to play golf with celebrities and a two-day celebrity tournament, both beginning at 9 a.m. Family Night with the Stars will be held on June 9 aboard Camp Lejeune, while various golf, tennis, swimming, skateboarding and bowling clinics will be led by the celebrities and held at various locations.
For more information or to volunteer for the event, visit the Web site www.mcccgolf.com or call 388-2827.
Contact staff writer Chrissy Vick at cvic
Ellie