CSM Tournament Honors Former Golfer
The College of Southern Marylands Foundation Golf Classic will celebrate its 22ndt year with the CSM Strong for a Stronger Southern Maryland campaign at Swan Point Yacht & Country Club, Aug. 15. A signature event for CSM, the tournament through the years has provided more than $600,000 in support of students and programs offered at the college. This years goal of $40,000 will go toward CSM Strong initiatives for student success including includes athletics, lacrosse and foundation scholarships.
Co-chairing the Golf Committee this year are CSM Foundation Directors Michelle Aughinbaugh, vice president and chief administrative officer for Consumer Bankers Association, and Paul Facchina Jr., division manager, Facchina Construction Company. The Grand Tournament Sponsor is Marrick Homes.
This is my second year co-chairing the Golf Classic and it is a privilege to be involved with this signature event, said Aughinbaugh. The tournament is an integral part of the fundraising efforts led by the CSM Foundation. Scholarships have become essential to the majority of students who want to graduate with a college degree, and events such as this tournament enable the foundation to raise funds to touch as many students as possible.
This years tournament includes honoring former CSM golfer Eric Sawchak, who was named the golf teams Most Valuable Player this year. The longest drive contest, which is sponsored by St. Charles Communities, will be dedicated to Sawchak and his fortitude. Sawchak had started the season with the CSM Hawks, but passed away from cancer before the seasons first match.
Eric approached every challenge in his life with dignity and courage, teaching us all how to conduct ourselves with grace even in the most trying of circumstances. It's an honor and a duty to remember him, and it is the hope of the St. Charles Communities and CSM that this small gesture helps to memorialize the pride, poise and purpose that characterized how he lived his life, Aughinbaugh said.
New this year to the golf classic is a silent auction and a raffle for an autographed RGIII jersey. For details, visit https://foundation.csmd.edu/pages/golf-raffle-ticket. Additionally former National Football League player Edward Stanton Tre Johnson III will be a celebrity golfer at the tournament. A former American football offensive lineman, Johnson played for the Washington Redskins and the Cleveland Browns, and during his 10-year career with the Redskins was selected to three All Madden teams, the 2000 Howie Long All Tough Guy Team, an All-Pro 2nd team and All-Pro 1st Team. He was an alternate for three Pro Bowls and a starter for the 2000 Pro Bowl. Johnson received a bachelors degree in Social Administration and a masters in Social Work. He is a counselor and a history and diversity training teacher, advisor and a track coach at the Landon School.
The 2013 Golf Classic kicks off with breakfast, sponsored by Burger King of Charles and St. Marys counties, Costco Wholesale of Brandywine and Safeway of La Plata, beginning at 7:30 a.m. and is followed by a shotgun start at 9 a.m. Lunch will be provided by Chick-fil-A of La Plata, along with a reception including prizes after the tournament concludes.
Joining Marrick Homes, which is in its 12th year as the tournament grand sponsor, are Corporate Sponsor Southern Maryland Newspapers, and CSM Strong Community Partner Sponsors Community Bank of Tri-County, DRN Environmental Solutions LLC, Facchina Construction Co, Inc., Mark Posten Excavating, McDonald & Eudy Printers, Inc. and NRG Energy, Inc.- Morgantown.
Raley, Watts & ONeill Insurance and Financial Services and Community Bank of Tri-County are hosting $10,000 putting contests and Ken Dixon is hosting a hole-in-one contest. In addition to the longest drive contests, Dr. and Mrs. John Sine are hosting the closest to the pin contest for women and the Aughinbaugh family is hosting the closest to the pin contest for men. Beverages will be provided to attendees throughout the day by Royalle Dining Services, Inc. and Bozick Distributors, Inc.
Sponsorships are still available for the Golf Classic. For information on how to become a sponsor and partner with CSM for a Stronger Southern Maryland contact Erika Abell at 301-934-7647 or eabell1@csmd.edu or visit http://www.csmd.edu/Foundation/GolfClassic.