Penn College Golf Classic to Feature ABC Sports' Billy Ray Brown
Published 04.19.2004
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Events
Billy Ray Brown, winner of three PGA tour events and currently an on-course golf reporter for ABC Sports, will be the featured pro at the 18th Annual Golf Classic hosted by the Pennsylvania College of Technology Foundation on May 10 at the Williamsport Country Club.
The annual fund-raising event for sponsors supports the Scholarship Aid Program for Penn College students. Since 1990, the Foundation has provided more than $176,000 in scholarships from the proceeds generated by the event.
Brown was born and resides in Missouri City, Texas, where he plays out of the Quail Valley Country Club. He was a four-time All-America selection at University of Houston, where he won the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 1982. Along with teammate Steve Elkington, Brown led Houston to three NCAA team championships.
Brown turned professional in 1987 and joined the tour in 1988. His tour victories were the 1991 Canon Greater Hartford Open, the 1992 GTE Byron Nelson Classic and the 1997 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic.
Brown's full-time career was cut short in 1999 by his third wrist surgery in seven years. The highlight of his final year came at the Buick Invitational. After rounds of 69-65-68, he trailed Tiger Woods by one stroke heading into Sunday. Woods built a four-stroke lead through the first four holes, but Brown battled back and tied him with a 6-foot birdie on the 16th hole. At the final hole, Brown missed his birdie attempt and Woods made eagle for the victory. It was Brown's first top 10 finish since winning the 1997 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic and his first second-place finish since 1993 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The payday of $291,600 was the largest of his career. Later that year, he re-injured his wrist and had more surgery in the fall.
Since 1999, Brown has been an on-course reporter for ABC Sports' golf coverage. Brown's father, Charlie, was a tackle for the Oakland Raiders. His brother Chuck played center for the St. Louis Cardinals football team.
The Spring Golf Classic begins with registration, breakfast and a photo session at 8:30 a.m., followed by a golf clinic with Brown at 9:45 a.m. for players and sponsor guests. A luncheon with players and sponsor guests will be held at 11:30 a.m. The tournament gets under way at 12:45 p.m.
A reception and awards presentation will take place at 6 p.m. in the Thompson Professional Development Center on Penn College's main campus, followed by dinner at the College's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant at 7 p.m.
Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors is serving as the major corporate sponsor for the 18th Annual Golf Classic.
Local underwriters include: Fairfield Toyota, Fisher Mining Company and the Klingerman Family (golf pro); Citizens & Northern Bank, Jersey Shore State Bank, Sovereign Bank, WNB Bank and Woodlands Bank (breakfast and lunch); and M&T Bank and SunBank (reception and dinner).
For more information about the Spring Golf Classic, call the Penn College Foundation office at (570) 320-8020.
The annual fund-raising event for sponsors supports the Scholarship Aid Program for Penn College students. Since 1990, the Foundation has provided more than $176,000 in scholarships from the proceeds generated by the event.
Brown was born and resides in Missouri City, Texas, where he plays out of the Quail Valley Country Club. He was a four-time All-America selection at University of Houston, where he won the NCAA Championship as a freshman in 1982. Along with teammate Steve Elkington, Brown led Houston to three NCAA team championships.
Brown turned professional in 1987 and joined the tour in 1988. His tour victories were the 1991 Canon Greater Hartford Open, the 1992 GTE Byron Nelson Classic and the 1997 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic.
Brown's full-time career was cut short in 1999 by his third wrist surgery in seven years. The highlight of his final year came at the Buick Invitational. After rounds of 69-65-68, he trailed Tiger Woods by one stroke heading into Sunday. Woods built a four-stroke lead through the first four holes, but Brown battled back and tied him with a 6-foot birdie on the 16th hole. At the final hole, Brown missed his birdie attempt and Woods made eagle for the victory. It was Brown's first top 10 finish since winning the 1997 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic and his first second-place finish since 1993 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. The payday of $291,600 was the largest of his career. Later that year, he re-injured his wrist and had more surgery in the fall.
Since 1999, Brown has been an on-course reporter for ABC Sports' golf coverage. Brown's father, Charlie, was a tackle for the Oakland Raiders. His brother Chuck played center for the St. Louis Cardinals football team.
The Spring Golf Classic begins with registration, breakfast and a photo session at 8:30 a.m., followed by a golf clinic with Brown at 9:45 a.m. for players and sponsor guests. A luncheon with players and sponsor guests will be held at 11:30 a.m. The tournament gets under way at 12:45 p.m.
A reception and awards presentation will take place at 6 p.m. in the Thompson Professional Development Center on Penn College's main campus, followed by dinner at the College's Le Jeune Chef Restaurant at 7 p.m.
Central Atlantic Toyota Distributors is serving as the major corporate sponsor for the 18th Annual Golf Classic.
Local underwriters include: Fairfield Toyota, Fisher Mining Company and the Klingerman Family (golf pro); Citizens & Northern Bank, Jersey Shore State Bank, Sovereign Bank, WNB Bank and Woodlands Bank (breakfast and lunch); and M&T Bank and SunBank (reception and dinner).
For more information about the Spring Golf Classic, call the Penn College Foundation office at (570) 320-8020.