First Annual "Building Buccaneer Baseball" Golf Tournament

When four alumni baseball players got together this past fall, their vision and dreams were to start a fundraising campaign for the baseball program.  “Building Buccaneer Baseball” became the title of the three phase campaign.  Matt Brownlee, Kevin Futrell, Hardy Ferguson, and Stan Kowalski’s vision was to start with phase one being a covered hitting facility which would allow the team to work out in rainy weather and during the dark hours of the evening.  The second phase of the campaign is a locker room with an alumni center at the field and the third phase includes lights for the stadium.

Former Buc RHP pitcher Stan Kowalski threw a “gem” of an idea into the game with an idea for a golf tournament. 

“When you have alumni with passion for their university and their sport, anything is possible.  And with Stan’s passion for CSU Baseball his vision for this golf tournament quickly became a focus for our program to host one of the best golf tournaments possible on February 8, 2008, during Alumni Weekend,” said head coach Jason Murray.

When the 10 day forecast came out on the weather report and the temperature for Oak Point Island Golf resort said upper 60s with plenty of sunshine, the tournament quickly started to fill up with teams ready to play golf.  When golfers showed up to the beautiful Oak Point course, they were getting ready to experience CSU baseball’s vision “first class in everything we do.”  The golfers went through the registration line where they were given a gift bag full of goodies and a tasty box lunch from McAlister’s Deli in Summerville.  As the golfers proceeded to their carts, the course donated a Kiawah Resort tee bag for each person.  Needing to warm up their swings, several headed to the driving range while some took part in the putting contest.  As the time got closer to shotgun start time for 11:30am, golfers kept showing up, this brought our total attendance to 115 players.

The tournament started with several holes having two teams ready to tackle the long, full of water, lots of sand, and beautiful fairway course.  Six of the holes had coolers full of sodas and water donated by Cheerwine soft drinks.  During the round, each player took part in two closest to the pins and one longest drive contest.  On the par 3 hole #9, CSU’s Athletic Director Hank Small put the ball within 5’3’’ of the cup to win closest to the pin.  Enterprise Car Rental sponsored the par 5 hole #12 for longest drive.  After James Fender smoked one down the fairway early in the day, no one could come close to his drive which landed him a free weekend rental from Enterprise.  Closest to the pin on hole #15 went to Adam McNab.  As the teams started to finish up, you could smell the Kelly’s Barbeque in the clubhouse.  Players enjoyed a wonderful dinner donated by Kelly’s located on Hwy 78 in Summerville.

As Ryan Rushton, the Oak Point Golf Pro, collected the scorecards and started to put the final scores up on the board anticipation of the lowest rounds was intense.  Third place went to former alumni Jamie Futrell’s team with Mike Mosley, Jim Futrell, & Bob Ott.  Second place went to Team Ellis with Tracy Hunt, Aryn Linenger, and Jason Murray.  First place and sponsored by Charleston Bat Company went to D’s Jewelers played by Darel Trout, Tadd Brown, Tadd O’Rourke and Sammy Law.

On behalf of the Charleston Southern University and the CSU baseball program, we would like to thank all the Tournament Sponsors:  Pro Level Sports, McAlister’s Deli, Sea Island Sign & Design, Kelly’s BBQ, Cheerwine, Only The Best Go Yard, Sports Turf-Wilson & Associates, Managed Healthcare Solutions, The Dolny and Wolfe Family, Premier Environmental Management, Inc., and Moncks Corner Dry Cleaners.  With to many to name, “Thanks” to all the hole sponsors and businesses who sponsored our door prizes!  Again, thanks to Oak Point Golf Resort – Kiawah Island and all who participated in the 1st Annual “Building Buccaneer Baseball” Golf Tournament.  See you next year!

Pictures from the event