2007 Sheriff's Golf Classic Expects to Set New Fundraising Record

The 2007 Sheriff's Golf Classic is expected to break last year's record of raising more than $55,000 in gross receipts for the 29th annual tournament. This was the second year the golf tournament was conducted on both north and south golf courses of Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club near Dade City. This year's tournament boasted 47 teams for a total of 186 golfers.

Pasco Sheriff bob White told the crowd of golfers gathered at Lake Jovita's Clubhouse during the tournament banquet that he projected raising at least $53,000 in gross receipts. However, if all outstanding pledges come in during the next few weeks the golf tournament will break last year's record.

"This has been a tough year for citizens with Florida's economy and for the Pasco Sheriff's Golf Classic to beat last year's record is really quite an achievement. My hat's off to all of those involved," said Sheriff White.

Photo: Golf carts carrying 186 golfers lined up at Lake Jovita's Golf Course for the 2007 Sheriff's Golf Classic.

The golf tournament actually is two tournaments in one. Each golf course has a first, second and third place trophy awarded. Captain Mike Ferrantelli, who works at the Land O'Lakes Detention Center and whose team was sponsored by Nestle Waters/Zephyrhills Water, took home the first place trophy for the fourth year in a row with a top score of 55 on the south golf course. The north course first place team shot a stunning 52 to take home the top prize. (See results below)

Partial proceeds from the Sheriff's Golf Classic will go to the West Pasco Boys and Girls club as well as a number of other Sheriff's sponsored youth charities. The monies will be distributed by the Pasco Sheriff's Charities Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation set up by Sheriff White. An announcement of how much the charities will receive is expected later in the year.

In past years, the golf tournament has donated funds to such youth programs as the Pasco Police Athletic League, Youth Services Program, Explorer's Post, Safety Town, the anti-drug program D.A.R.E. and Gang Resistance Training.

Photo: Detective Ewald (blue shirt) tees off on hole #1 at Lake Jovita's south course.

Here are the results:

2007 Sheriff's Golf Classic Results