Men’s Alpine Team to throw golfing bash Oct. 10

The Men's Alpine Team will host a golfing bash at The Jeremy Golf & Country Club in Park City, Utah, on Oct. 10.
THE MEN'S ALPINE TEAM will host a golfing bash at The Jeremy Golf & Country Club in Park City, Utah, on Oct. 10.
    After what might have been one of the most challenging years in the history of the ski industry, times are tough financially. Gas prices are continually on the rise, making it expensive for American athletes who are flying frequently. Extra baggage costs seemly get higher with each passing year, and now as athletes are spending more and more time in Europe, the American dollar doesn’t go as far as it once did. The cost of doing business as either a ski racer or a ski team is getting more difficult, and with so many outside factors taking their toll on the industry, some athletes now find themselves partially covering their own costs for the sport they love to do.
    At the end-of-the-year Men’s Alpine Team meetings in May, it was brought to the athletes’ attention that due to the rising costs of doing business, some would have to partially cover their own costs to ski. With this new information in hand, all 20 men sat down in a room with each other to discuss what they could do not only as a team, but also as friends, to help those who would find themselves with this tough burden come December. These last two months, the 20 men have been mapping out a plan, not to simply raise money for their peers, but also to create an opportunity where fans, friends and kids can interact with the 20 fastest skiers in the country.
    “This challenge and experience we face has really brought the guys together,” said racer Steven Nyman. “We are really excited to do our part as 20 committed athletes to making a strong team with cohesive team environment. We decided as a group that we wanted to do more charity and really get ourselves out there, and we stepped up and did that by visiting the Boys & Girls Club in Salt Lake. Now we are taking the initiative to help those in the group who may be partially funding themselves by standing together.”
    Never before have ski racing fans had the opportunity to go to an event where they can meet and greet every member of the men’s team at the same time — that is about to change.
    On Oct. 10, for the first time ever, you can finally meet and greet all 20 of the Men’s Alpine Team athletes as they throw a “golfing get-together” in Park City, Utah. Kids can spend the day playing games with athletes in the kids-welcome environment, while adults have the opportunity to play 18 holes of golf with Olympians, all while listening to the amazing music of Alpine Men’s Team member Bryon Friedman. Fun golf contests and challenges will make things interesting as you try to get closer to the pin than the athletes or try to outdrive them for prizes. A silent auction, dinner, drinks, photos and autographs are all on tap. Fun gifts, trips and ski gear are all up for grabs.
    Don’t miss your chance to have a fantastic time with all the guys for a great cause!

Event details: Money is being raised by and for the Men’s Alpine Team to cover athlete expenses for 2007-08 and special projects. Donations are made to “SFI Foundation” (not the USSA). Your gift is tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law.
Location: The Jeremy Golf & Country Club, Park City, Utah.
Start: 12:30 p.m., shotgun start, 2 groups per hole. 36 foursomes available, 150 people total cap. Number of spots for “just dinner” will be limited based on number of golfers. All kids are free and welcome to come.

To reserve your spot at the Jeremy event, or to bid on golfing with an Olympic champion such as Ted Ligety, e-mail: mensalpine@gmail.com or go to www.mensalpine.com or on Myspace at: www.myspace.com/mensalpine.