ELI MANNING RETURNS AS HOST OF

31ST ANNUAL GUIDING EYES FOR THE BLIND GOLF CLASSIC

JUNE 22-23, 2008

EVENT AT MOUNT KISCO CC AND WHIPPOORWILL CLUB IS SOLD OUT

FAIRVIEW COUNTRY CLUB, GREENWICH, CT. ADDED - SLOTS STILL OPEN

 

The 2008 June 22-23, 31st Annual Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic hosted by Eli Manning has been such a sell out that Guiding Eyes has added a third golf course, Fairview County Club  in Greenwich, CT. to the two clubs where the Classic has always been held, Mount Kisco Country Club and Whippoorwill Club, both in Westchester County. Fairview is a short 15-minute drive to the Mount Kisco Country Club and LESS THAN A DOZEN SLOTS ARE STILL OPEN. 

 

The Classic celebrates its 31st  year as a major fundraiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit organization located in Yorktown Heights, NY. On Monday, June 23, 2008 Eli Manning hosts the Classic at Mount Kisco Country Club, Whippoorwill Club, and Fairview Country Club. On Sunday, June 22, as part of this two-day event, 16 blind golfers compete against one another for the coveted “Corcoran Cup.”

 

Playing in the Classic will be 16 top ranked blind golfers whose names have been submitted by the United States Blind Golfers Association (USBGA.) To qualify for membership, an athlete must be totally blind and file three 18-hole scores of 125 or under, attested by a PGA pro. Today, there are a number of officially sanctioned blind golf tournaments. Blind golf is played under USGA rules with one modification, a club may be grounded in a hazard. Each blind golfer plays with a coach who aids the blind golfers with club selection, alignment, setup, and distances. The 16 top ranked blind golfers invited to participate in the 31st  Annual Guiding Eyes for the Blind Golf Classic hosted by Eli Manning are:

 

Jim Baker, Nashville, TN; Phil Blackwell, Maudlin, SC; Pat Browne, Jr., New Orleans, LA; Geoff Bull, Stuart, FL; John Casolo, Waterbury, Ct; Ron Derry, Baltimore, OH; Walter Dietz, Berea, OH; Shelia Drummond, Lehighton, PA; Brad Eaton, Harwich, MA;  Bill McMahon, Framingham, MA; Joel Marler, Talladega, AL; David Meador, Nashville, TN; Mike Mercado, Albany, NY; Ron Murner, Wellington, OH; George Pilz, King of Prussia, Pa, Dick Pomo, Green Valley, AZ.

 

Sunday, June 22, 2008 – 1:00PM, Mount Kisco Country Club, Mount Kisco, NY. USBGA’s (United States Blind Golf Association) 16 top rated blind golfers compete for the coveted “Corcoran Cup.” Spectators are welcome. Registration for the gallery required. Call 914-243-2208 or email mbrier@guidingeyes.org to register.

 

Monday, June 23, 2008 – 10:45AM

Shotgun start at Mount Kisco Country Club, Mount Kisco, NY/Whippoorwill Club, Armonk, NY/Fairview Country Club, Greenwich, CT. Participants play 18 holes of golf with an opportunity to play a few holes with blind golfers and will also have the opportunity to meet Eli Manning. Awards dinner to follow at Mt. Kisco Country Club. Chance to win BMW128i. Only 850 tickets will be sold at $100. To purchase a ticket visit www.guidingeyes.org/raffle. For further information on how to participate in the Classic, or for possible sponsorship, contact Michelle Brier at

914-243-2208 or email mbrier@guidingeyes.org.

 

The Classic is the largest fundraiser for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the renowned nonprofit guide dog school located in Yorktown Heights, New York. The event was founded by PGA legend Ken Venturi and during its 31-year history has raised over $6 million for this non-profit organization. Guiding Eyes, having just celebrated its 50th year in 2006, is a 501 (c) non-profit organization which relies solely on the outstanding generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, civic groups to continue its life-changing work, and also invites the public to participate in their two major annual fundraisers, the Golf Classic and the New Leash on Life Walkathon, October 12, 2008.