The practice range for tournament participants opens at 10:30 a.m. Registration and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m. with tee-off at 12:30 p.m. The tournament features a shotgun start, scramble format.

Skill prizes include hole in one, longest drives for men and women, and closest-to-the-pin on four holes. The tournament concludes at 5:30 p.m. with an awards reception, door prizes and dinner. Golfers and party-only guests will enjoy the premiere facilities available in the Mercer Oaks clubhouse.

Committee members include: Victoria Baldwin, vice president of The Bank; Doug Borden of Borden Perlman Insurance Company; David Fraytak of Faridy, Veisz, Fraytak Architects; MCCC Foundation Chair E. Karen Kennedy; Foundation member Thomas Kull; Nina Melker of The Bank of Princeton, Scott Needham of Princeton Air Conditioning, Inc.; and Steve Ritzau. The tournament is held in memory of Ritzau's late wife, Dr. Cynthia Schaffer, an MCCC Foundation board member and area physician. Schaffer strongly supported Mercer's mission and was an ardent sports enthusiast, especially in golf and youth tennis.

The cost for a foursome is $800; twosomes are $400; and individual golfers are $200. (Foursomes will be arranged for individual golfers.) For non-golfers, tickets for the awards dinner may be purchased separately at a cost of $100. The tournament is open to the public.

There are numerous opportunities to participate as an event sponsor, starting at $5,000 for a title sponsorship and ranging down to $160 for a hole sponsorship. Sponsors receive a variety of benefits based on their level of participation. Prize donations are also welcome.

According to MCCC Athletics Director and Assistant Dean for Student Services John Simone, Mercer supporters are enthusiastic about the event because they recognize the important role of athletics in the lives of many college students. "Participation on a sports team helps students develop leadership skills and stay committed to earning their degrees. This event is all about community members stepping up to ensure that our athletes get the scholarships they need to attend college." In the past year alone, 65 MCCC students have directly benefited from athletic scholarships.

Adds MCCC Vice President for College Advancement Mellissia Zanjani, the college celebrates the contributions of these student athletes, who add significantly to campus culture and represent Mercer with distinction throughout the region and beyond. "We are delighted to host an event that provides support for them to pursue their academic goals," Zanjani said.

The 2010-11 year was a successful one both in athletics and academics for MCCC's nine teams. Highlights of the year include the third place national finish for the men's tennis team, with the second doubles team of Travis McCaughan and Juan Ramirez winning the NJCAA national title. In women's tennis, Alison Noll won the national title at no. 1 singles. The men's soccer team advanced to the Northeast District final and the men's basketball team advanced to the Region 19 final. Baseball player James Pugliese was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. Nine students were named All-Americans and three were named Academic All-Americans. Thirty-three students were named to the Garden State Athletic Conference's All-Academic Team. Twenty-two student athletes will transfer to four-year schools in the fall, many with athletic scholarships.

For ticket and/or sponsorship information, see the tournament website here. Participants and sponsors may complete their entire registration online, including payment. A printable registration form is also available here.

For questions, call John Simone at (609) 570-3741 or email golfclassic@mccc.edu.

For directions and other information about Mercer Oaks East Golf Course, visit the course website here.