GOLF WITH AN OLYMPIAN, HELP A RACER
Want to take a chance on winning a pair of skis or a snowboard or a set of golf clubs or a season pass to a ski resort? How about playing golf with Olympic gold medalist Ted Ligety or any other racer on the U. S. men's alpine ski team?
You can do all of that and more on September 15, the date that the racers will try to raise enough money to fund their ski racing expenses.
The United States Ski and Snowboard Association, governing body of skiing, says for the second year in a row that it doesn't have enough money to pay expenses for all its elite and qualified racers. Some athletes have been dropped. Others have been told they must pay their own expenses. Some of the athletes have taken out loans or their parents have gotten a second mortgage, in hopes the ski team will come through later in the season.
Last year, the athletes helped themselves financially by holding a fundraiser at Park City's Jeremy Ranch. But the economy this year is worse, so the situation for the racers is more urgent. The cost of a World Cup racer's season can be more than $50,000.
That wouldn't even make a dent in the salary paid to the head of USSA, Bill Marolt, the CEO of the legally non-profit organization. Marolt gets an annual paycheck of more than a million bucks a year counting bonuses---plus a new car every year. Meanwhile, the athletes hope their fundraiser will help them get enough money to compete during the season before the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
This year, the Men's Alpine Foundation has teamed up with the Park City ski team (PCST), which is known as a "feeder" for the U. S. ski team because so many of PCST's young athletes, including Ted Ligety, graduate onto the national team.
Dave Galusha, director of PCST, says the teamup wasn't planned. "This is our sixth annual fundraiser golf tournament. We had booked the course and then found out the Men's alpine group was planning on doing their golf tournament the day before. Since we were looking at the same sponsors and the same players, we decided to do it together instead of competing with each other. It's going to be larger than ever," Galusha says.
Last year, the Men's Alpine group made enough to fund five racers for a full season; and it was the best season for the men's (and also women's) team in many years.
The Sept. 15 event begins with registration at 10:30 am, then a lunch and warmup until 11:30. At noon, the 18-hole game begins with a shotgun start. There will be prizes for the winners, as well as for the longest drive and other speciality shots.
The highlight comes at 5:00 pm, with snacks, prizes, awards, silent auction and a raffle. This is where the relaxed socializing takes place and everyone mingles with the ski team racers. The guys are at their best; cracking jokes, telling tales of the World Cup circuit, goofing with each other and with guests. If you've ever wanted to feel like an equal with these athletes, this is the place.
Then come the awards and prizes. Last year, Byron Friedman performed for the crowd and also donated for auction two hours of singing and playing his guitar. This talented racer really IS a rock star! Erik Schlopy donated some of his magnificent photographs, mounted and framed. Rossignol donated skis, Spyder gave clothing, Park City Mountain Resort offered several season passes, and Podium Ski Tuning donated a dozen elite ski tunes for the raffle. There were gourmet dinners from Deer Valley, a leather golf bag with clubs and many more goodies that could be won or bid upon. And the golf champions also got high-end prizes such as skis and fabulous jewelry.
Last year, the Park City Mountain Resort season pass, worth $1,150, went for $750. The donations, as well as the efforts of funding-assured A-team racers to help their teammates, was a bonding experience for the men. For guests who helped fund the racers, it was contact and coaching---both Masters and recreational racers sat at tables getting detailed advice from the World Cuppers. Golfing isn't necessary to take part.
"We don't have details yet for those who just want to come for cocktails and refreshments, but we will have an option for those who only want to take part in the party," Galusha said. The sponsorship donation for an individual golfer is $300; a team sponsor of four players is $1,000, and the inclusion of an Olympian on your golf team is $1,500; all of which is tax deductable. There are also sponsorships for course holes ($500) and specialty holes ($1,000).
To register, call Ciara Bell at (801) 891-9679; email: ciarabell1978@gmail.com; or Dave Galusha at (435) 649-8749; email daveg@parkcityskiteam.org.