UNIVERSITY PARK — The Penn State Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament keeps getting bigger and better.
Played this year on Friday, May 30, at the Penn State Golf Courses and hosted by head basketball coach Mike Rhoades, the 28th annual tournament raised funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society to support cancer research and programs in our local communities.
The tournament is sponsored by PSECU, and it has been called one of the “premier golf events in Pennsylvania.” The tournament hosted over 425 golfers, many sponsors and welcomed many accomplished sports figures and other dignitaries from Penn State and beyond to the Blue and White Courses.
The tournament’s format was a five-person scramble with a shotgun start in both a morning (7 a.m.) and afternoon (12:30 p.m.) session. Each group of four players was joined by a member of the basketball coaching staff, other current or former PSU coaches, athletes, department heads or special guests to make a five-some. Each player in the group hit a shot and then the group chose the best one and played its next shot from there.
On the course, there were many incentives (and chances to donate) to help each group lower its score, such as moving up tees, subtracting strokes and using a professional’s long drive.
The scores, of course, were very low, but the donations and the help given to the American Cancer Society were again record-breaking.
The tournament was originally begun by Penn State head basketball coach (and State College native) Bruce Parkhill in 1995. Since then, every coach — Jerry Dunn, Ed DeChellis, Patrick Chambers, Micah Shrewsberry and Mike Rhoades -— has carried on the tradition. Since the beginning, the CVC-Penn State Chapter has raised a net of more than $4.4 million and is one of the most successful in the country.
Beside the golf, there was a Sponsors/Captain Reception at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park and then an awards dinner following the tournament at the Hawbaker Pavilion at the golf course facility.
Coaches vs. Cancer hosts other activities throughout the year, and any individuals interested in becoming a sponsor or a volunteer can visit the CVC–Penn State website for more information.
