The 29th Annual Golden Grizzlies Golf Classic will take place on July 30, utilizing both the Katke-Cousins and R&S Sharf golf courses.

Scott MacDonald, assistant athletic director for athletic communications, said the tournament has multiple purposes but one primary focus.

“The purpose of the outing is to raise money for our student-athletes to help with the expenses an athletic department incurs for travel, scholarships (and) room and board,” MacDonald said.

Team play is encouraged for the tournament, as its secondary purpose is for an enjoyable experience. However, individual play is also allowed.

The format of play for the tournament is Captain’s Choice/Scramble — the practice of playing the “best ball” out of all balls hit per team — which is a popular method of playing in modern tournaments.

Registration begins  at 7:30 a.m., which is also when the driving range will open to all tournament participants. The tournament closes at 1:30 p.m. and the awards presentation takes place after.

Team registration for the Katke-Cousins course is $700 per team, or $175 per player. Team registration for the R&S Sharf Course is $900 per team or $225 per player. Both courses are highly acclaimed in Michigan. Golf Digest named the R&S Sharf course 12th out of 852 courses in 2009 and The Detroit News named the Katke-Cousins course one of the top 10 in the state.

The tournament will not feature the new Steve Sharf clubhouse, but a large tent will be set up outside where breakfast and lunch will be served by local sponsor Flat Top Grill.

The tournament is also sponsored by Plastic Engineering & Technical Service Inc. and Farm Bureau Insurance. Additional sponsorships can be procured by contacting event planner Aaron Epstein at [email protected].

“The GGGC is a special event at Oakland because it brings all facets of our Athletic Department together … every team, every department, as well as many of student-athletes and friends,” Epstein said. “It gives us a chance to enjoy a day celebrating the common bond we share as supporters of Oakland University.”

According to Epstein, the tournament is quickly approaching its limit of 144 golfers. If the tournament fills up, Oakland Athletics could receive as much as $28,800 in support.

Board of Trustees chairperson Henry Baskin provided some insight into what could be considered the most memorable part of the R&S Sharf course.

“I asked him (Sharf) ‘why is there an ‘S’ bunker? It’s quite large out there. And he said ‘I want every son-of-a-b—- who goes into that bunker to remember my name’,” Baskin said.

 

 

 

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Staff Reporter Mark McMillan can be contacted at [email protected] or on Twitter @markamcmillan