Community members from around Southern Maryland swung into action for a good cause on August 16—the College of Southern Maryland Foundation’s 21st Golf Classic at Swan Point Yacht and Country Club.

“Not only have we met our goal of $40,000—we have exceeded it thanks to the generosity of our foundation supporters,” said CSM President Dr. Brad Gottfried. This year, more than $64,000 was raised for scholarships and programs.

 Since the first Golf Classic, CSM has raised more than $550,000 and during half of those years, Marrick Homes has been the tournament’s grand sponsor.

Prior to tee-off, CSM student Erica Varesko, of Leonardtown, thanked sponsors and golfers for their generosity. While in an engineering associate’s degree program, Varesko took a semester break to pursue a trade through CSM’s Center for Trades and Energy Training in Waldorf. She signed up for electrical bootcamp and has never looked back. Upon completion of the bootcamp, Varesko was invited to apply for an apprenticeship electrician position through Naval Facilities (NAVFAC) Washington, was hired and works full time in Dahlgren. In addition to providing scholarships for students in associate degree and certificate programs, the CSM Foundation supports non-credit trades programs through funding of supplies, equipment and scholarships.

“We are deeply appreciative to have such strong support from the Southern Maryland community. The generosity of our golfers and sponsors allows CSM to make a difference in the lives of so many students through scholarships in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as well as in trades and energy training programs, and in support of new programs such as lacrosse,” said CSM Development Director Martina Arnold.

Student-athletes from men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball were on-hand to provide a rousing send-off as golfers took off in their carts for the start of play. Athletics is one of the many programs that receive funding from proceeds from the Golf Classic.

The tournament’s winning team was McDonald & Eudy Printers, Inc., with players Kim Dickerson, Cass Dickerson, Jay Dove and Mike McDonald. The second place team was Community Bank of Tri-County with players Greg Cockerham, Mike Middleton, Gordon O’Neill and Joe O’Neill. The third place team was First Home Mortgage with players Christopher Hood, Shane Lanhardt, Wayne Lanhardt and David Smith.

Awards were also given to Chris Rush and Jay Dove for the longest drives, and to Chris Rush and Paul Facchina Jr. for closest-to-the-pin.

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