Sports

National Collegiate Golf Championship – apply to host a local qualifying event

Be a part of the largest collegiate golf event in the world

Collegiate Golf Alliance (CGA) is accepting applications to host a local qualifying (LQ) event for the 2008 National Collegiate Golf Championship (NCGC) program. Universities that wish to host an event must apply by May 26, although specific event details such as date and golf course are not required on the application.

Winning teams from local qualifiers advance to the 7th Annual National Collegiate Golf Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, November 7-10, 2008. The California based company has teamed with the NIRSA Services Corporation to manage the 2008 National Collegiate Golf Championship. A two-person scramble event for collegiate and university amateurs, the NCGC allows golfers to compete for their university to see who will be the national champion. The Championship has three divisions: Student, Faculty/Staff, and Alumni/Community.

This event consists of 30-50 local qualifying tournaments held across the United States in spring, summer and fall, with winners advancing to the National Collegiate Golf Championship in Las Vegas. LQ host schools receive a prize package valued at over $1000 and over $80 per player. LQ host schools that have over 40 players receive a Southwest Airlines round-trip ticket to defray travel costs to the championship.

Portions of proceeds of the local qualifiers and the championship will benefit the NIRSA Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that provides opportunities for students through professional development, research, scholarships, and educational resources. To date, the NCGC program has raised over $27,000 for the Foundation.

“We are very excited about the growth and direction of the NCGC program. As more schools offer the opportunity to students, staff and alumni to participate and compete, the thrill of representing your university is now available to thousands of participants. With the national championship now being covered by Fox Sports West, our reach and exposure should be outstanding,” stated CGA President and CEO Mike Munson.

With the addition of new partners and programs, the NCGC, now in its seventh year, has increased its value to schools and participants. This year's sponsors include: Southwest Airlines, Red Bull, Fox Sports West, Matrix Fitness, American Golf, Upswing Golf, AlmostGolf, Golf World and Oakley. To provide additional resources, CGA has appointed six regional managers to assist in the programming of campus golf events as well as help coordinate the National Tournament.

Matrix Fitness has increased its support of the NCGC program through support at all Local Qualifiers and at the National Championship. Matrix will become the official beverage cart sponsor for all NCGC events, providing water, soda, and/or sports drinks to all participants. Matrix will also provide a hat clip ball marker tool to all LQ participants, will donate an elliptical to selected tournaments, and at the National Championship in Las Vegas, will be the entertainment sponsor for the Pairings Party at GameWorks. “We are excited to be working with Matrix Fitness and appreciate their outstanding sales staff, quality products, and support. Their support of the CGA and NCGC is a huge benefit for all of our member schools and participants,” Munson said.

Free wedges from Upswing Golf

All participants in LQ tournaments will receive a free wedge from Upswing Golf. In addition to the wedges, Upswing Golf will send the Tournament Director a Hybrid, Driver and Putter that can be used for the Campus Expo, as prizes for the tournament, or as a raffle or silent auction item. On top of their support of the LQs, Upswing hands out a personalized wedge to all National Championship participants, featuring the NCGC logo on the club and the player’s name on the shaft.

Last but not least, Fox Sports will cover the National Championship. Interviews, story lines and highlights will be shown on selected regional coverage. Viewers may have to Tivo one of the taped shows, as the coverage isn’t expected to run live against a national or regional professional or NCAA sporting event, but coverage of the NCGC is an important step in expanding and increasing visibility of the program. This coverage will also provide footage to local stations that might have an interest with a local school or participant. Practice those 70-foot curling putts or hole outs and you might be on one of the highlights!

For more information please contact info@cgagolflinks.com, call (413) 332-6038 or go to www.cgagolflinks.com.