Westminster, Md. – A full day of golf, friends and fun highlighted the 13th annual Carroll County Golf Classic held Sept. 26 at Wakefield Valley Golf and Conference Center to benefit Carroll County General Hospital. The tournament was originally scheduled for Sept. 19 but was postponed due to Tropical Storm Isabel.

The Golf Classic, a major fundraiser for the hospital and sponsored by the Carroll County General Hospital Foundation, has become a premier event since its inception in 1991, raising more than $1 million. This year’s tournament raised nearly $170,000 for the hospital’s new emergency department and inpatient bed tower.

The day began with registration and a picnic lunch, followed by 18 holes of golf, and concluded with a cocktail reception, dinner, raffle drawings and an awards ceremony. The play format featured a handicap division and two-man scramble. More than 190 golfers participated.

“We’re extremely pleased that Wakefield Valley was gracious enough to offer us a rain date, and that our players and sponsors continued to support the tournament,” said Ellen Finnerty Myers, vice president of development at Carroll County General Hospital. “Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, local businesses and participants, we have raised significant funds to continuously enhance patient care at the hospital.”

The team of Robert Barnhart and Ken Booe, both of Westminster, won the coveted Wampler Cup, given to the top finishers of the low-net handicap division. The Cup is named for the late Atlee Wampler, one the hospital’s founders. His son, Atlee Wampler, III, traveled from Florida to present the trophies to this year’s winners.

Prizes also were awarded to the top finishers of the low-gross handicap division and two-man scramble. They were: Jacen Martinez and Ernie Tomkins, low-gross; and Joe Cenci and Lee Dinterman, two-man scramble.

The Carroll County General Hospital Foundation extends special thanks to the Golf Classic Committee, tournament chairman Gene Sines, and the many volunteers and generous sponsors including KPMG; Morgan Shelsby Carlo Downs & Everton; Kaufman Hall & Associates;Piper Rudnick, LLP and Post and Schell.

The 2004 Carroll County Golf Classic will take place Friday, September 17. Gene Canale of Northrop Grumman will serve as chairman.

Founded in 1961, Carroll County General Hospital is a nonprofit, acute care facility offering a continuum of services, including comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and community programs.

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