NC Beautiful Golf Classic Attracts Sponsors from Across the State for Environmental Education
RALEIGH, NC - July 14, 2008 - NC Beautiful, a provider of environmental education and beautification opportunities that elevate the quality of life of North Carolinians, recently held its 23rd Annual NC Beautiful Classic at Pinehurst Resort. The golf event was held from June 6-8 and is the non-profit's primary fundraising event.
Thirty-nine teams participated in the golfing event, which attracted close to 300 attendees. Steve Spurrier, Head Football Coach for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, served as Honorary Chair for the event who, along with wife Jerri, attended the opening reception on Friday, as well as all events on Saturday.
Spurrier has been head football coach for the University of South Carolina since 1994, having succeeded retiring coach Lou Holtz. Spurrier has earned the distinction of being the first USC football coach to take the Gamecocks to a bowl game in his first two seasons. Spurrier says that serving as Honorary Chair gave him a great deal of pleasure and pride and that now is the time for all North Carolinians to work together to do something positive for North Carolina.
"What may take only a few moments of your time now can make an impact that lasts a lifetime," says Spurrier. "Records will be broken and awards will be forgotten, but our environment will be with us forever. It's our responsibility and our duty to care for the land, the water, and the air so that it can be enjoyed by future generations."
Duke Energy served as this year's NC Beautiful Classic Grand Sponsor. Duke Energy is a leading energy company focused on electric power and gas distribution operations, and other energy services in the Americas. The company has been a supporter of NC Beautiful's efforts for many years. Duke Energy Manager of Sports Venues and NC Beautiful Board of Director, Robin Nicholson, says that NC Beautiful is a reflection of the environmental focus Duke Energy has maintained for years and is an outlet for continued improvement in the various initiatives in which Duke Energy is involved.
"The [NC Beautiful] Classic has, for years, been viewed as an exceptional event and primary funding source of the many beneficial programs NC Beautiful sponsors to help further preserve the natural beauty of this state," says Nicholson. "Developing this longer term relationship as sponsor of the Classic reinforces Duke Energy's commitment to the environment and the NC Beautiful programs benefiting the Carolina region."
Other event highlights included the 82nd Airborne All-American Chorus who performed a patriotic medley, a silent auction that included trips to Hawaii and St. Thomas, and a live auction led by Don Shea, host of the NC State Coach's Show, and a presentation by Dr. Tracy Gaudet, executive director of Duke Integrative Medicine and assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Duke University Medical Center in Durham.
"It was an amazing weekend of golf and camaraderie," says NC Beautiful Executive Director Steve Vacendak. "For three days, several hundred people gathered at beautiful Pinehurst Resort to not only play competitive golf, but to also do something positive for North Carolina. The funds we raised during that one weekend will help our young citizens make a positive, environmental impact that will be enjoyed by their fellow North Carolinians for many years to come."
About NC Beautiful
NC Beautiful has been part of the state's environmental preservation community for 40 years, supporting awareness, education and beautification efforts that affect our quality of life. Today, we concentrate on hands-on and merit-based programs designed to empower our citizens to preserve the natural beauty of the state of North Carolina. Whether it's a school children building outdoor classrooms, graduate students developing cutting edge research, or a Boy Scout troop planting azaleas at an elder care facility, we make it possible for North Carolinians to keep NC Beautiful. For more information about NC Beautiful or to learn about sponsorship or volunteer opportunities, call (919) 828-3190 or visit www.ncbeautiful.org.
Media Contacts
Steve Vacendak, Executive Director
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
svacendak@ncbeautiful.org
Louise Carey, Classic Manager
NC Beautiful
(919) 828-3190
lcarey@ncbeautiful.org
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