Golf greats on board for Forsgate classic

HUNTER MARTIN/GETTY IMAGES Nancy Lopez, pictured teeing off at the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in July 2007, is among the celebrity golfers coming to Forsgate Country Club next week. MONROE — Nancy Lopez, Fuzzy Zoeller and Amy Alcott will take part in this year's Sovereign Bank Charity Golf Classic, set for Sept. 22-23 at the Forsgate Country Club.

The event will raise funds for the nonprofit Forsgate Foundation, which supports causes throughout New Jersey.

Lopez, arguably the most beloved ladies golfer of all time, will headline the Classic, joined by fellow LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer Alcott and Champions Tour player Zoeller, who is enjoying a banner year on Tour in 2008. During the festivities, Lopez and Alcott will also be recognized on the anniversaries of their LPGA Coca-Cola Classic victories at Forsgate Country Club. Lopez won the event in 1978, during a nine-win season, while Alcott claimed the title in 1976, the second of her 29 victories on tour.

Since the event began in 2003, the Charity Classic has raised $184,000 for the Forsgate Foundation, which has distributed the funds to 15 charitable organizations.

"The support from the membership and the community is uplifting. They clearly participate to support the charities involved, but they also enjoy the interaction with the great personalities that are attracted to the event year after year," said Forsgate Country Club General Manager Det Williams.

"We are very pleased to be the pre- senting sponsor of the Sovereign Bank Charity Golf Classic," said Warren Taylor, president of Sovereign's Central New Jersey Division. "We are proud to partner with the Forsgate Foundation to help charities throughout New Jersey."

On Sept. 22, festivities will kick off with a VIP reception and a live and silent auction in the Forsgate clubhouse. Charity Classic participants and sponsors will mingle with the celebrities and bid on auction items such as the opportunity to caddie for one of the celebrities or serve as one of their playing partners in the skins game.

On Sept. 23 at 8:30 a.m., event participants will compete in an 18-hole golf tournament on one of Forsgate's golf courses: the award-winning Banks Course, named one of the tri-state area's Top 50 golf courses; or the recently renovated Palmer Course, a traditional American design that features water hazards on many of its scenic holes. The celebrities will individually greet each foursome throughout the day.

At 2 p.m., the general public is welcome to attend the hour-long celebrity skills exhibition where Lopez, Alcott and Zoeller will display their skills as well as amuse the crowd with funny anecdotes from their experiences on the various professional tours. Fan favorite David Feherty, one of the most recognized voices in golf broadcasting, will entertain the gallery as master of ceremonies.

At 3 p.m., the Charity Classic skins game will begin on hole No. 1 of the Banks Course. Feherty will don his "broadcasting hat," narrating the action as Lopez, Alcott and Zoeller battle it out for a total purse of $9,000.

Tournament playing positions on the Banks Course are $1,000 (individual) and $4,000 (per foursome), and on the Palmer Course for $800 (individual) and $3,000 (per foursome). In addition to playing 18 holes, tournament participant privileges include the opportunity to meet and take photos with the event celebrities; preferred admission to the auction and reception on Sept. 22; all of the Sept. 23 events; an exclusive gift package and a VIP parking pass.

In addition, sponsorships are available at all levels of participation. For more information, call 732-656-8911.

Gallery tickets are $15 and include admission to both the celebrity skills exhibition and the skins game. Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling 732- 656-8911 or may be purchased on-site on Sept. 23.

To learn more about the event, visit www.forsgatefoundation.org or call 732- 656-8911.