19th CSM Foundation Golf Classic a Driving Force in Providing Scholarships
The 19th Annual College of Southern Maryland Foundation Golf Classic held Aug. 19 at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club brought together players and sponsors to raise funds for scholarships for CSM students.
For golfers, theres no feeling quite like driving a perfect tee shot down the middle of the fairway, watching it fly towards the green.
For students, theres no feeling quite like hearing youve received a scholarship and you can concentrate on academics instead of finances.
The foundation, its partners and donors, through events such as the Golf Classic, are responsible for giving many students that wonderful feelingwith the funds to pay for tuition, books and supplies.
Speaking prior to the shotgun start at this years event, Ashleigh Barnes, 18, of Indian Head, told the field of golfers that she knew she wanted to go to college her whole life–she just didn't know how she was going to afford it.
“Although I have a very supporting family–and the hardest working mother in town–we were just not able to afford to pay for college,” she said. Now, with a scholarship from the foundation, Barnes is on the way to making her dreams come true. A music major, Barnes wants to gain more knowledge about her art and to share her voice. “I can now take a step towards creating a better future for myself, and I will be forever grateful for this gift you all have given me,” she said.
Andrea Muschette, 18, of Pomfret, who received the Waldorf Jaycees/CSM Foundation Scholarship, also addressed the event participants. “I believe education is the best thing that I can receive–I can always learn something no matter what,” Muschette said. “I'm grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship and would like to thank CSM and its wonderful staff, the Waldorf Jaycees, Swan Point and the golfers today.”
Muschette is a graduate of McDonough High School where she was a member of the JROTC and the 2007-08 president of Students Against Destructive Decisions. She plans to study criminal justice at CSM and wants to be a Charles County police officer, she said.
In its 19th year, the CSM Foundation Classic raised more than $45,000 from 120 players and 35 sponsors for scholarships. For the ninth year, Marrick Homes was the grand tournament sponsor.
The purpose of these scholarships is to give opportunities to people to improve their lives through education, said Marrick Homes Vice President Rick Bailey Jr. As a firm, we are Southern Maryland focused and when we see a need within the community we become involved.
Marrick Homes created a non-credit trades endowment scholarship fund which awarded 11 scholarships to students in the 2009-10 academic year, according to Continuing Education Program Developer Joyce Embrey.
This year as grand tournament sponsor, Marrick Homes provided a credit scholarship which was awarded to Daniel Underwood, 52, of Leonardtown, who is working on an associates degree in construction management. After working as a carpenter for many years, Underwood learned he had developed health issues that would prevent him from continuing to work in the strenuous field he loved. He developed a plan that would allow him to work another 15 to 20 years in constructionthis time as a manager.
This is a signature event in Southern Maryland and since 1991, the tournament has directly impacted more than 20,000 CSM credit and non-credit students, said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried.
This event not only brings our foundation partners together for a great game of golf on a spectacular course, but it also provides an opportunity for scholarship donors and recipients to meet, said CSM Development Director Martina Arnold. The generosity of our sponsors has given our students a lot to smile about.
The team of First Home Mortgage Senior Loan Officer Christopher Hood, McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning President Shane Lanhardt, McCrea Sales Representative Mark Walker and IBEW Compliance Officer Charles Ruehl Jr., took home top prize. The PNC Bank team of Brian Compton, Brian Claffee, Warren Rice and Mark Gandee took second place, and the Mirant Mid-Atlantic, LLC team of Al Montgomery, Alan Friedrich, Red Pierce and Frank Lancaster placed third.
Hole prize winners were, John Schnabel for mens longest drive, Joanie Heinze for womens longest drive, Mike Evans for mens closest to the pin and Connie Smallwood for womens closest to the pin.
In addition to grand tournament sponsor Marrick Homes, individuals and companies supporting the event included executive sponsors Southern Maryland Newspapers and La Plata Development, Inc.; corporate sponsor The Show Place Arena; partner sponsors, Community Bank of Tri-County, Grainger Family, Facchina Group of Companies, LLC, Mirant Mid-Atlantic, LLC, and Quality Build Homes, Inc.; and patron sponsors, Barry I. Aron, MD PC, Davis, Upton and Palumbo, LLC, Dennis Anderson Construction Corp., First Home Mortgage and Wyle.
Raley, Watts & ONeill and Community Bank of Tri-County sponsored the putting contest where Brandon Gamble qualified for the chance to win $5,000 for himself and a matching $5,000 for the Foundation Scholarship Fundthen missed the prize-winning putt by just a few inches.
Ken Dixon Automotive sponsored a hole-in-one competition with the prize of a car and Hugh C. Gardiner, Inc. sponsored the hole-in-one competition with the prize of a tractor.
Breakfast sponsors were Chick-fil-A and Safeway of La Plata, and Nicks Sausage Company provided lunch for all participants.
Following the tournament, Shelby Buckler, 18, of Lusby, was awarded a scholarship sponsored by The Show Place Arena. Buckler graduated from Patuxent High School where she played varsity volleyball for two years and varsity softball for four years while maintaining a 3.5 grade point average. She got a head start on her college career by taking classes at CSM through the concurrent enrollment program in her senior year. Buckler is pursing a major in sports management at CSM.
We had a successful tournament because local businesses and foundation friends continue to support student scholarships in good times and bad–and during these tough economic times students and their families need help the most, said CSM Vice President of Advancement Michelle Goodwin. We sincerely thank everyone.
Tournament organizers were Chair Eric Grainger, Casey Smith, Dick Beers, Chris Hood, John Sine, Mary Lilly, Candice Kelly, Greg Cockerham, Goodwin, Arnold, Lindsey Schubert and Toni Kruszka.
For information on contributing to the CSM Foundation scholarship fund, visit http://www.csmd.edu/foundation/.
Sidebar
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the CSM Foundation serving the students and community of Southern Maryland. From the award of its first scholarship, to the purchase of high-tech equipment, to funding the building of an entire facility, the CSM Foundation has raised millions of dollars for scholarships, programs, construction, technology and equipment in its 40-year existence.
During the 2009-10 Academic Year, the CSM Foundation:
- Raised $718,434 to support programs and student scholarships
· Distributed $452,846 for scholarships and projects
· Established 13 new scholarships
· Awarded more than 100 scholarships through Scholarship Finder