The 2009 Niswonger Children’s Hospital Golf Classic is drawing some football legends to East Tennessee.
Scott Niswonger continues to make an impact by inviting Peyton Manning and Jim Sorgi from the Indianapolis Colts. Also attending will be former University of Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer and former UT and New Orleans Saints quarterback Bobby Scott at the fundraising tournament on June 8 to benefit Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City.
“We are truly excited and deeply appreciative that these celebrities are joining us” said Pat Holtsclaw, President of Mountain States Foundation. “I believe it is a reflection of all the great things going on at Niswonger Children’s Hospital and at the Foundation.”
The Tournament, held at The Ridges Golf and Country Club in Johnson City, will take place on June 8. A few tickets are still available to play in the tournament, while the big news is centering on two slots that are being auctioned off to play on a team with Manning and philanthropist Scott Niswonger, who donated $10 million toward the construction of Niswonger Children’s Hospital. All bids must be received by the Foundation by 5 p.m. on June 2. Bids can be made by calling the Foundation office at (423) 952-3110 or by going to www.640wxsm.com and clicking on the link to the Niswonger Children’s Golf Classic. Updates on the auction will be announced each day on WXSM 640 AM’s Morning Monster show and again on Bill Meade’s Sportsline.
A limited number of $50 tickets are also on sale for the “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere” pre-golf party held June 7 from 5-8 p.m. Manning and Sorgi are expected to make appearances at the party. Other opportunities remain for sponsorship of the tournament benefiting Niswonger Children’s Hospital.
One of only two National Football League players to be named Most Valuable Player three times, Peyton Manning has already become a legend in football at the age of 33. Drafted by the Colts in 1998 as the number one draft pick, he holds the record for the number of career passing yards at UT, and holds NFL records for consecutive seasons with more than 4,000 yards passing and the most total seasons with 4,000 or more yards passing in a career. Manning holds the highest career passer rate among active NFL quarterbacks and is second all-time in the history of the NFL.
Phil Fulmer was the UT head coach from 1992-2008 and created an impressive record of 152-52 during that time. He also led the Vols to their first ever BCS National Championship in 1998 by defeating Florida State University. Also a UT football player from 1969-71, Fulmer helped Tennessee to a 30-5 record while on the team. He had only one losing season during his time at UT.
Jim Sorgi is the backup quarterback for the Colts and was drafted in 2004 after playing for the Wisconsin Badgers. He holds several spots in the Wisconsin team’s history books, including the all-time career pass efficiency leader, co-holder of the most touchdowns in one game and ranked 6th in career passing yards.
Bobby Scott was the UT Vols quarterback from 1968-71 and was a teammate of Fulmer’s. Scott was then drafted by the Saints in 1971, where he played for a decade. He holds the 10th spot for career passing yards in the history of the Vols.
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