American Red Cross to Hold First Annual Golf Tournament in Carbon County on May 15
News Release: March 23, 2009
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing; American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley (610) 865-4400, ext. 262; pager (610) 830-9771

Long Drive Champion Carl Wolter to Conduct Exhibition

The American Red Cross will host its First Annual Tune-Up Red Cross Charity Golf Tournament on Friday, May 15, at Blue Ridge Country Club in Palmerton.

The 18-hole tournament will begin with registration at 10 a.m., followed by a lunch buffet, and a shotgun start (scramble format) at noon. All golfers will receive a commemorative soft-side cooler bag packed with snacks, beverages and golf items. At completion of play, players may relax over hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, followed by dinner and the announcement of tournament winners and prizes.

Carl Wolter, winner of the 2002 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship and participant in the upcoming 2009 RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship Finals, will present a special exhibition before the start of the tournament. Wolter, of Lehighton, claimed long drive's most prestigious title in 2002 with a drive of 384 yards.

Individual player cost is $125. Blue Ridge Country Club members receive a discounted fee of $105. Dinner guests are welcomed at $50. Sponsorships are available.

Prizes will be awarded to teams and individuals in various categories. Guests can win raffle prizes and bid on silent auction items.

Proceeds from this tournament will be used to provide local Red Cross disaster relief assistance and lifesaving training.

Sponsors to date include: Mahoning Valley Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center, Lehighton; First National Bank of Palmerton; PenTeleData of Palmerton; and Bennett Dealership of Palmerton.

For sponsorship information and reservations contact Chris Detweiler at 610-865-4400, ext. 259, or DetweilerC@usa.redcross.org; or Sharon Kendig at 610-377-2100 or KendigS@usa.redcross.org.

Tournament committee members include: Committee co-chairs Frank Maguire, community volunteer; and Chris Rodrigues, Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Barbara Baus, Blue Ridge Country Club; Dennis Gallagher, Jim Thorpe National Bank; Mike Mickey, Mahoning Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; and Joe Stockunas, Air Products and Chemicals.

The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves nearly 690,000 residents of Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training; Lifeline, a personal response service for seniors; and emergency relief to more than 24,000 greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.