Art Shell Golf Classic June 13

PRINCESS ANNE -- Former Redskins quarterback Doug Williams, the first and only black player in his position to win a Super Bowl (1988), joins the roster of sports celebrities participating in the 2012 Art Shell UMES Celebrity Golf Classic on June 13. The first tee off begins at 8 a.m. at Great Hope Golf Course in Westover, Md.

As in past events, Shell, a pro football Hall-of-Famer and University of Maryland Eastern Shore alumnus, has enlisted the help of former athletes willing to lend a hand in raising scholarship funds for the university’s Athletic and PGA-accredited Professional Golf Management programs.

“My alma mater continues to reach students for whom college may have been out of reach,” said Shell. “It is important to rally together to support students who desire more, and who can achieve more, if given the opportunity.”

Among those hitting the greens with Shell and Williams are pro pigskin veterans and UMES (formerly Maryland State College) alumni Emerson Boozer and Earl Christy, all Super Bowl winners.

Golf greats teeing up for the cause are youth sports advocate Fred Engh and James Black, the first black golfer to shoot a 67 in a pro tournament—his PGA Tour debut in 1964.

Engh, president and founder of the National Alliance for Youth Sports, earlier this year was inducted into the UMES Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a member of the university’s championship-caliber golf team in the early 1960s. Their involvement is fitting as the university sponsors a Junior Tournament for golfers ages 11-18 on June 12 in conjunction with the Celebrity Classic.

“This tournament has garnered the support of local businesses and golfers since its inception some 20 years ago,” said Marshall Cropper, UMES Golf Academy director and event organizer. “We’re hoping they’ll do the same this year.”

Registration is $200 per player or $750 for a foursome and includes a pairing party, 18 holes of golf with a celebrity, food and drink on the course, a BBQ-themed awards banquet and commemorative gifts.

If you don’t play golf, but want to go to the pairing party, tickets are available for $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight.

Call 410-651-8045 to register, become a sponsor or for more information on any of the activities planned for the event.