ANDERSON, Ind. —
This June, when the Children’s Clinic Classic golf tournament is held for the 28th time, the goal is about the only thing that’s unchanged.
Highland graduate and Golf Channel tournament host Brian Hammons has joined the tournament organizing group and has been the catalyst for some major changes that will be in place at noon June 12, when the 28th edition of the event gets under way at Anderson Country Club.
Saint John’s Health System and Ivy Tech Community College remain the corporate sponsors, and the proceeds still go toward the operation of the Saint John’s Children’s Clinic. But several new faces and a few new offerings have been added.
“We have infused some new blood,” Hammons said of the fresh celebrity faces added for 2012. “We upgraded the celebrity list. We wanted to broaden our horizons. There are a lot of players in Indianapolis, and we want to see if we can attract some of them to this event. That’s a goal.”
Certainly many of the new celebrities have some connection to Indy. Television personalities Bob Donaldson, Dave Furst, Vince Welch, Dick Wolfsie and Chris Hagan have committed to the Classic. Indianapolis-based race driver John Andretti will be on hand, as will several with Indiana University connections, including Steve Risley, George McGinnis, Quinn Buckner and Madison Heights graduate Stew Robinson.
Players with Indiana Pacers connections include Kevin Lee, Chris Denari, Clark Kellogg and Austin Croshere. Connection with the Indianapolis Colts will bring Ken Dilger, Jacob Tamme and Bill Polian to ACC. “Bill has been one of the faithful guys to this event,” said Carl Erskine, a member of the tournament steering committee. “I’m glad to see he’s coming back.”
Because of Hammons’ connection to the national golf community, John Mahaffey Dave Marr III, Billy Ray Brown and Curt Byrum will play. Former Purdue men’s basketball coach Gene Keady will also participate.
“We jumped at the chance to bring Brian on board,” said Tom Von Osdol, President of Saint John’s Health System. “He’s played here before but we wanted him to have a central role. We inquired about what his interest was and he’s phenomenal from day one.”
“I jumped at the chance to get involved,” said Hammons. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this.”
The connection between golf and charity is something Hammons has seen in person through his coverage of professional events.
“Every tour has been a big benefactor for various charities,” said Hammons. “Millions of dollars are given every year. What we do (at the Classic) is much like the pro-am events where people pay to play with a celebrity golfer.”
One other additional fund raiser to be part of this event is a post-tournament concert from Pendleton native, former Anderson University baseball player and country musician Corey Cox.
“Some people, who aren’t golfers, can have another way to support this cause,” said Von Osdol. There will be a barbecue in the evening after the golf as well.
The cost for an individual golfer to play in the event is $175, which includes a box lunch, 18 holes of golf, a cart, the awards ceremony, the dinner and the concert. Contact Leslie Kinley at (765) 646-8710 or at: lmkinley@sjhsnet.org for more information or to register.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Dick Peck chips the ball onto the green during the St. John's Golf Classic benefit outing. Local residents were paired with local celebrities for a shotgun start golf round.
Discussion
Plenty of changes, but goal the same
- Sports
-
-
Newgarden fastest on bump day
After being bumped from the starting field while sitting on the qualifying line on pole day, Josef Newgarden turned the fastest time on bump day assuring himself a spot in the Indianapolis 500.
The field of 33 cars get one final opportunity to practice on Friday before next Sunday’s 97th running of the “500.” -
Johnson wins again and shrugs off the haters
It’s only fitting that Jimmie Johnson’s latest romp through the record books was shrouded in postrace controversy.
What’s a Johnson win, after all, without a good conspiracy theory? -
Pacers knock out Knicks with 106-99 win in Game 6
Lance Stephenson scored a playoff career-high 25 points and led a late 11-2 run Saturday night, leading the Indiana Pacers past the New York Knicks, 106-99 and into the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2004.
-
Allman gets late model win at Anderson Speedway
Rob Allman scored his initial feature win of the season in the McGunegill Engine Performance late models Saturday at Anderson Speedway.
Allman took the lead from the start after the front row of Billy VanMeter and Greg VanAlst were sent to the tail for several false starts. -
Stinson sends Ball State to NCAA golf nationals
The Ball State men’s golf team is on its way to the NCAA Nationals for the first time since 1986 after defeating San Diego State in a playoff Saturday for the fifth and final qualifying spot out of the Pullman Regional.
-
No Triple Crown: Oxbow upsets Orb at Preakness
Oxbow put D. Wayne Lukas in the record books again with an upset of Orb in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, giving the Hall of Fame trainer his 14th win in a Triple Crown race.
-
Ravens’ World Series run comes to an end
The Anderson University softball team survived five elimination games to win the NCAA regional last week in Angola.
It took the nation’s top-ranked team to finally end the Ravens’ remarkable run.
Salisbury scored a 2-0 victory Saturday in Eau Claire, Wis., knocking AU (31-18) out of the NCAA Div. III Softball Championships in the program’s debut trip to the national finals. -
Indy native Carpenter captures 500 pole
It was a case of David versus Goliath, and once again David won as Ed Carpenter captured the pole position for next Sunday’s running of the Indianapolis 500.
Carpenter bested eight drivers for the two teams expected to compete for the pole position on Saturday. -
Arabians claim net sectional title
It had happened to Lauren Robertson once, and she was determined it wasn’t going to happen again.
With the score tied at 2-2 and the sectional title resting on the outcome of the No. 3 singles match, Pendleton Heights claimed the crown as Robertson defeated Alexandria’s Hannah Libler 6-4, 6-3.
The win was the first girls tennis sectional team title in school history for PH. -
Chargers, Freeney agree to 2-year deal
The San Diego Chargers agreed Saturday to a two-year deal with aging star pass rusher Dwight Freeney that could be worth $13.35 million.
The deal to bring Freeney to the Chargers came four days after outside linebacker Melvin Ingram tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a padless practice. - More Sports Headlines
-
MLB Hoping for Large Replay Expansion in 2014
America's Cup Officials Say Race Will Continue
LeBron James Wins NBA MVP for Fourth Time
African American Jockey Aims for Derby History
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Obama: 'Couldn't Be Prouder' of Jason Collins
Sacramento Mayor Lauds NBA Vote on Kings
NBA Star's Aunt: I Am Very Proud of Him
Tebow Time in New York Over After Jets Cut QB
White House Commends Jason Collins on Coming Out
NBA Veteran Jason Collins Comes Out As Gay
Raw: Alligator on Fairway at Zurich Classic
Backpacks Banned From Kentucky Derby
Ex Ravens LB Ayanbadejo Talks Equality
Red Sox Fans: Boston 'Getting Back to Normal'
