Cadillac Invite caters to worthy
cause
By Matt Hill
STAR STAFF
mhill@starhq.com
BRISTOL, Va. -- A great golf course and a great
cause should make the upcoming Cadillac Invitational a great
tournament to play in.
This year's tournament takes place on Monday,
July 22 at the Virginian Golf Course. Proceeds go to benefit
the National Kidney Foundation.
The entry fee is $250 per player, with $100 of
that being tax deductible.
The tournament is being sponsored locally by
Bill Gatton Cadillac. Other sponsors include American Express,
GMAC, the Izod Club, Automobile Magazine, Ben Hogan golf,
Etonic and Strata.
Chris Lee of Bill Gatton Cadillac is more than
happy to have the company sponsor the tournament.
"It's good to put our name on an organization
like this," Lee said. "Plus it's a national promotion for
Cadillac. You can't ask for anything better. You've got the
best golf course, the best luxury car, and the best dealership,
plus the money that's raised goes to the National Kidney Foundation."
The money raised will help the kidney foundation
fight kidney disease.
Jamie Gray, who is the northeast coordinator
for the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee, said
that the money raised will be spent locally.
"The proceeds go toward patient services and
educational programs in the upper-eight counties of Northeast
Tennessee," Gray said. "We provide services, and fill needs
for patients in those eight counties."
As for the golf itself, the winning team gets
to play at one of the country's finest golf courses.
"This golf tournament is one of 120 nationwide
that benefit the National Kidney Foundation. The winners of
those tournaments go to Pebble Beach to play in January for
the national finals."
Any amateur golfer, male or female, is eligible
to compete in the tournament.
Each team must consist of four amateur golfers
whose USGA handicap indexes total 43.0 or more. Only one golfer
on each team may have a USGA Handicap Index of 8.0 or less.
Any golfer wishing to participate who does not
have a USGA Handicap Index will be required to provide scorecards
attested to by a PGA professional from which a "Cadillac Invitational
Handicap" will be calculated in accordance with USGA rules.
Each golfer who has a USGA Handicap Index will
be required to present a current copy of his or her handicap
card to the tournament committee at the time of registration.
All golfers will be required to present a photo
ID on the day of the tournament.
Any team that contains a member who does not
comply with each of the above requirements will not be eligible
to win prizes or qualify to be invited to the national finals.
A million dollar shootout is being sponsored
by Charter Communications. Three people have an opportunity
to shoot for a hole-in-one from 145 yards out. If somebody
gets it, they win the cash.
The tournament should be a special event at the
private golf course. Gray thinks that should be an extra incentive
to play in the tournament.
"The Virginian is exclusively members-only,"
Gray said. "You can't play there unless you are in a charity
tournament. Plus with this being our 10th year, it gives excitement
and motivation to play, and also helps out a needy charity."
Entry forms can be picked up at Bill Gatton Cadillac
in Bristol.
For more information, call 323-1650
