College of Agriculture Golf Tournament Raises Close to $45,000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2002
Joe Wills
530-898-4143
Jean Nelson, College of Agriculture
530-898- 4147
College of Agriculture Golf Tournament Raises Close to $45,000
A $10,000 gift from Wittmeier Ford and the Ford Motor Company to the CSU, Chico College of Agriculture’s seventh annual fund-raising golf tournament has pushed proceeds near $45,000.
The tournament, recently re-named the Wittmeier Ford/CSU, Chico/Superior Ag Golf Classic, normally nets between $30,000 and $40,000 for scholarships and other programs in the college.
“I hate to give an absolutely firm figure before every bill is in and the smallest details are taken care of, but it looks very likely we will hit the $45,000 mark, topping last year’s net of $38,440″ said Jean Nelsen, director of development for the College of Agriculture.
Nelsen and Superior Ag Golf Committee members worked with Wittmeier Ford to obtain the gift. Ford’s participation was made through their Business Preferred Network and Ford Commercial Credit, both of whom have a special interest in the CSU, Chico agriculture program.
“Agriculture and the university are two entities that help give Chico its unique characteristics,” said Ed Wittmeier, owner of Wittmeier Auto Center. “Our gift is to honor the importance of each.”
Superior Ag’s sole mission is to support and bolster the university’s agriculture program, and a sub-committee of the organization is the driving force behind the tournament. The committee represents several prominent agricultural businesses and organizations.
“Every year our longtime supporters pull out all the stops in donating time, energy and money for the good of our students,” said Charles Crabb, dean of the college. “We are proud to have Wittmeier Ford join our family of extraordinary friends.”
Other major tournament sponsors include Tri-Counties Bank, Matson and Isom, Bell Carter Olive Company, Pacific Coast Producers, Durham Pump and Farm Credit.
The golf classic is held in late July at Butte Creek Country Club and pulls in approximately 190 golfers. Player spots are often sold out by early June.
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