Azinger, Sorenstam will play in Classic

By: centraljersey.com
MONROE – Two of golf’s personalities will headline the Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic.
Annika Sorenstam will be joined by PGA Tour professional and ESPN/ABC golf commentator Paul Azinger when the event takes place at Forsgate Country Club Sept. 27-28.
Throughout the event, the duo will be on hand to mingle with participants, show fans a skills exhibition and play in a skins game to raise money for charity.
"I look forward to participating in the Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic. It should be fun competing against Paul on a wonderful course for numerous great causes," Ms. Sorenstam said.
Mr. Azinger will be making his first appearance in the Charity Golf Classic, but not his first in Monroe. In 1995, he attended an event at Forsgate after recovering from non Hodgkins lymphoma in his right shoulder.
This year, the primary beneficiary of the Charity Golf Classic will be the ANNIKA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization founded by Ms. Sorenstam in 2007, one year prior to her retirement from competitive play. The ANNIKA Foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.
The Forsgate Foundation also will support local New Jersey children’s charities with further proceeds from the event. Since its inception in 2003, the Charity Golf Classic has raised more than $230,000 for the Forsgate Foundation, which has distributed the funds to a variety of charitable organizations, including March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Make a Wish, P.L.A.Y. for PINK and the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Foundation, among others.
"The support from the membership and the community year in and year out is tremendous," said Forsgate Country Club General Manager Det Williams. "Last year, despite the tough economic environment, we were able to raise more money than ever before, and we hope to build on that success in 2010."
Sponsors on board for 2010 include Bud Light and Affinity Insurance.
Monday, Sept. 27, the Charity Golf Classic will kick off at 6 p.m. with a VIP sponsor reception and live and silent auction in the clubhouse. Participants and sponsors will mingle with Mr. Azinger while bidding on such unique auction items as the opportunity to caddie for one of the celebrities or serve as one of their playing partners during the Classic.
The Forsgate Foundation once again will raffle a car: a 2010 Mercedes E350 C courtesy of Mercedes Benz of Princeton. Raffle tickets are being sold for $100 (and include auction admission), and the winner will be announced at the conclusion of the evening Sept. 27. All money raised will benefit the ANNIKA Foundation and Forsgate Foundation’s designated charities. To purchase raffle tickets, call 732-656-8911. Tuesday, Sept. 28, Charity Golf Classic participants will play 18 holes of golf on Forsgate’s Banks Course. Both Ms. Sorenstam and Mr. Azinger will chat with each foursome throughout the tournament.
At 2 p.m., back on the Banks first hole, the general public is welcome to attend the hour-long celebrity skills exhibition where Ms. Sorenstam and Mr. Azinger will display their skills, answer questions from the gallery and tell the crowd anecdotes from on and off the links.
At 3 p.m., The Bud Light Skins Game will begin on hole No. 1 of the Banks Course. Fans can follow Ms. Sorenstam and Mr. Azinger as they wage a "Battle of the Sexes," competing over nine holes for a total purse of $9,000.
A limited number of tournament playing positions are available. Nonmember costs are $1,000 for individuals and $4,000 for a foursome or $900 for individuals and $3,600 for foursomes for past participants.
In addition to playing 18 holes, tournament participant privileges include the opportunity to meet and take photos with Ms. Sorenstam and Mr. Azinger; preferred admission to the live and silent auction and reception; all of the Sept. 28 events; an exclusive gift package; and a VIP parking pass.
The Charity Golf Classic is seeking a title sponsor for its event. A three-year sponsorship commitment will provide a corporate golf outing for up to 120, a VIP reception "celebrity meet and greet, three foursomes in the Tuesday tournament and several other perks.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available, including title sponsorship of the skills exhibition and the live and silent auction and reception, signage opportunities on course and more.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, call 732-656-8911. Gallery participant tickets for the Charity Golf Classic are $15 and include admission to both the celebrity skills exhibition and the Bud Light Skins Game. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 732-656-8911 or may be purchased onsite Sept. 28.
To learn more about the Charity Golf Classic and the celebrity guests, visit www.forsgatefoundation.org or call 732-656-8911.