Sorenstam, Azinger to headline Forsgate Charity Golf Classic

Two of golf’s most charismatic personalities will headline this year’s Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic, a golf and entertainment event that raises money for a host of charities.

Annika Sorenstam of Sweden watches her shot during the 2008 Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va. Sorenstam and PGA golfer Paul Azinger will take part in this year’s Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic. HUNTER MARTIN/GETTY IMAGES Annika Sorenstam, one of the most successful golfers of all time, will be joined by PGA Tour professional and ESPN/ABC golf commentator Paul Azinger when the event takes place at Forsgate Country Club, Forsgate Drive, Monroe Township, Sept. 27-28. The duo will be on hand throughout the event to mingle with Charity Classic participants, dazzle fans with a skills exhibition and play in a skins game to raise money for charity.

“I look forward to participating in the Forsgate Foundation Charity Golf Classic,” Sorenstam said. “It should be fun competing against Paul on a wonderful course for numerous great causes.”

Azinger will be making his first appearance in the Charity Classic, but not his first appearance in Monroe Township. In 1995 he attended an event at Forsgate after recovering from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in his right shoulder.

This year the primary beneficiary of the Charity Classic will be the ANNIKA Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Sorenstam in 2007, one year prior to her retirement from competitive play. The foundation teaches children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition, and offers aspiring junior golfers opportunities to pursue their dreams.

The Forsgate Foundation will also support New Jersey children’s charities with further proceeds from the event.

Since its inception in 2003, the Charity Classic has raised more than $230,000 for the Forsgate Foundation, which has distributed the funds to a variety of charitable organizations, including the March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish, P.L.A.Y. for PINK, and the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Foundation, among others.

“The support from the membership and the community year in and year out is tremendous,” said Forsgate Country Club General Manager Det Williams. “Last year, despite the tough economic environment, we were able to raise more money than ever before, and we hope to build on that success in 2010.”

Sponsors on board for 2010 include Bud Light and Affinity Insurance.

The event

On Sept. 27 the Charity Golf Classic will kick off at 6 p.m. with a VIP Sponsor Reception and live and silent auction in the clubhouse at Forsgate. Classic participants and sponsors will mingle with Azinger while bidding on such auction items as the opportunity to caddie for one of the celebrities or serve as one of their playing partners.

The Forsgate Foundation will again raffle off a car — a 2010 Mercedes E350 C courtesy of Mercedes Benz of Princeton. Raffle tickets are being sold for $100 (and include auction admission), and the winner will be announced at the conclusion of the evening on Sept. 27. All money raised will benefit the ANNIKA Foundation and Forsgate Foundation’s designated charities. To purchase raffle tickets, call 732-656-8911.

On Sept. 28, Charity Classic participants will play 18 holes of golf on Forsgate’s award-winning Banks Course. Sorenstam and Azinger will chat with the foursomes throughout the tournament.

At 2 p.m. the general public is welcome to attend the hour-long Celebrity Skills Exhibition where Sorenstam and Azinger will display their skills, answer questions from the gallery and amuse the crowd with anecdotes from on and off the links.

At 3 p.m. the Bud Light Skins Game will begin on hole No. 1 of the Banks Course. Fans can follow Sorenstam and Azinger as they wage a friendly “Battle of the Sexes,” competing over nine holes for a total purse of $9,000 for charity.

A limited number of tournament playing positions are still available. Non-member costs are $1,000 for an individual, $4,000 for a foursome; or $900 per individual and $3,600 per foursome for past Classic participants.

Gallery participant tickets for the Charity Golf Classic are $15 and include admission to the Celebrity Skills Exhibition and the Bud Light Skins Game.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, purchase tickets in advance or for more information, call 732-656-8911 or visit www.forsgatefoundation.org. Tickets may also be purchased on site on Sept. 28.