Second Annual USBA Golf Tournament Tees off September 17

FasterSkier · August 8, 2007

New Gloucester, ME, August 7. The second annual US Biathlon Golf Tournament is slated for September 17 at the Falmouth Country Club in Falmouth, ME.

After a successful debut, which raised almost $30,000 last year, to support the US Biathlon Team and the New England Nordic Ski Association, organizers are planning another exciting event this year.

The 18-hole scramble will kick off at 11 AM, with 20 foursomes on the course, vying for prizes in several categories. Several fun side competitions relating to biathlon, including some biathlon training drills will enhance the day’s activities.

Leading one foursome in the tournament will be Bobby Orr, dubbed by the Boston Globe newspaper as the greatest athlete in Boston history, and also lauded as the second greatest hockey player of all-time (behind Wayne Gretzky) according to a Hockey News selection in 1997. A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame, Orr, a defenseman was the youngest-ever person given that honor, at the age of 31 without the usual 3-year waiting period. During an injury-shortened career with the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks, Orr won virtually accolade available in professional hockey, including eight All-Star selections, including the James Norris and Con Smythe Trophies as well as Sports Illustrated Magazine’s â€œSportsman of the Year.â€

Several US Biathletes, including Tim Burke (Paul Smiths, NY), Lowell Bailey (Lake Placid, NY), and Jeremy Teela (Anchorage, AK) are expected to be on hand to socialize with the golfers and display their skill on the links. Burke had the best season ever recorded by a US Biathlete with a 7th place in the World Championships, six top-15 finishes, and a US best end-of-season ranking of 25th in the world, with 267 World Cup Points. Bailey and Teela, along with Burke and Jay Hakkinen (Kasilof, AK) form the US men’s relay team, which recorded a 7th place in World Cup competition last season. This relay team, ranked among the best in the world is part of the young talented US Biathlon Team that is on track to win its first ever medal at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

â€œThe purpose of our golf tournament is to earn some additional funds to support our team as well as to gain more community support and exposure for our program,â€ commented US Biathlon Executive Director Max Cobb. â€œWe currently have a very promising group of athletes led by Tim and Jay. They have shown the ability to win medals as both placed in the top 10 at this year’s World Championships. However, even though we have excellent support from the US Olympic Committee, TD Banknorth, and several other sponsors, we still need extra funds to support every aspect of their training with the best staff, facilities, and equipment possible. At the same time, we are investing in future generations of cross-country skiers in cooperation with NENSA locally, as well as building our development, youth, and junior biathlon programs around the country to help keep US Biathlon consistently in the top ranks of biathlon countries.â€

After the players finish their round of golf, the day will conclude a social hour and silent auction followed by a four-course dinner and live auction. Individual players and foursomes of all abilities are welcome to register for this event. The registration fee is $350 for individuals and $1000 for foursomes. All players receive a bag lunch, the round of golf with a cart, a gift from Adidas, complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and a dinner ticket for their entry fee.

For information on the tournament, sponsorships, or donations, contact Katy Cook at the US Biathlon Association, phone 207-688-6500 or visit www.USBiathlon.org/golf .

The United States Biathlon Association is the National Governing Body for the sport of biathlon in the United States as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the International Biathlon Union. The US Biathlon Association supports the US Biathlon Team and development of the sport on all levels within the United States.