The driving force in CSM Foundation Golf Classic links community, opportunity

Friday, Nov. 6, 2009

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The volunteers setting out the sponsor and prize hole signs for the College of Southern Maryland Foundation 18th annual Golf Classic on Aug. 20 at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club felt a hot one coming on hours before the shotgun start.

So did the team from PNC Bank – James Andreacci, John Fentress, Christopher Cox and James Aten – as the foursome sweated through four hours in 90-degree heat to end the tournament in first place.

The Classic raised more than $47,000 for programs that will benefit CSM students. The tournament fielded 144 golfers.

The foursome sponsored by The Show Place Arena took home the second place award. Team members were Bill Mullikin, Terry Norell, Lew Hubbard and P.J. Wilson. The third-place team, sponsored by Community Bank of Tri-County, was Greg Cockerham, Mike Middleton, Gordon O'Neill and Joe O'Neill.

CSM alumni and former U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Greg Linton, who enrolled in classes at CSM using a scholarship award and veterans benefits following a tour in Iraq, thanked the players for their support and generosity. Linton transferred to Frostburg State University this fall where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in social work.

Grand tournament sponsor for the eighth year, Marrick Properties Inc., was recognized by CSM Foundation vicechair Cockerham, who also emceed the pretournament putting contest.

Shane Lonhardt with First Home Mortgage sunk his qualifying putt for the chance to win $5,000 for himself and a matching $5,000 for the Foundation Scholarship Fund then missed the prize-winning putt by just a few inches. For information on contributing to the CSM Foundation scholarship fund, go to www.csmd.edu/foundation/.

The team of Fentress, left, Cox, Andreacci and Aten are pictured.