It is only fitting that the first installment of "Aggieland" begins with an annual golf outing hosted and directed by women's basketball coach Gary Blair.
Texas A&M women's basketball coach Gary Blair will host the Ninth Annual Coach Blair Charities Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting Special Olympics Texas and other local charities on Friday, May 4 at Traditions Golf Club in Bryan.
Combined with a Celebration Dinner and Silent/Live Auction presented by Mac Resource Computers on Thursday, May 3 at 6 p.m. at Hurricane Harry's, the two events serve as one of the largest fund raisers for Special Olympics in the state.
It marks the 19th year Blair has hosted a golf tournament benefiting Special Olympics. He hosted a similar event for 10 years while serving as the women's basketball coach in Arkansas, and when he arrived in Aggieland he started the tournament which is now in its ninth year.
Each year, the tournament has surpassed its initial goals of fundraising. During its eight-year run here, the events have raised more than $700,000 for Special Olympics.
"Special Olympics is not just my charity of choice, but the charity I support because the athletes are so special to me and to others because of how hard they work," said Blair. "Competing is winning to them."
Blair insists the money raised locally benefits the local teams supported by Special Olympics.
The Celebration Dinner and Silent/Live Auction is open to the public. A donation of $10 is requested at the door and all in attendance will receive dinner from Buppy's Catering.
A wide variety of items will be available in the silent auction ranging from sports memorabilia to dinners at area restaurants. A live auction will also be held featuring items from David Gardner's, Furniture Source International, MacResource Computers and others.
The tournament and celebration dinner are made possible through the support of gold medal sponsors Chilifest, MacResource Computers, The Med, Jack Hilliard Distributing, Outback Steakhouse and CC Creations. Media sponsors are Bryan Broadcasting, The Eagle and KBTX Media.
