IRL: Charity golf tournament celebrates 10th year in Texas

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2000 -- The Phil Casey Indy Racing Golf Tournament will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Monday, Oct. 16, the day after the Excite 500 Indy Racing Northern Light Series season finale at Texas Motor Speedway.

The tournament, named after the technical director of the Indy Racing League, will take place at Tour 18 in Fort Worth, Texas, and will benefit the Pediatric Diabetes Center at Valley Children’s Hospital in Fresno, Calif., and The Sam Schmidt Foundation.

Several Northern Light Series drivers are expected to participate, including Indianapolis 500 winners Al Unser Jr. and Eddie Cheever Jr. The tournament is open to teams, drivers, sponsors and fans for $87 per player.

“I really want to thank the racers for their support over the years,” Casey said. “The early years proved to be a struggle just to break even, but now with enthusiastic support from the racing community, we are starting to see great results.”

In 1999, the tournament, which was held in Las Vegas, raised $11,000, its highest one-year total. To date the event has generated $46,000 for non-profit organizations.

Since the inception of the annual charity event, half of the proceeds has been donated to Valley Children’s Hospital and the other half of the proceeds has been given to selected charities in Indiana.

Casey organized the tournament after learning that his granddaughter, Jennifer, was diagnosed with pediatric diabetes.

“I watched my granddaughter struggle with diabetes, and I wanted to help other kids with the disease,” Casey said. “I love kids. “I really have a soft spot for kids.”

The Sam Schmidt Foundation, which will receive the other half of the proceeds this year, was organized by the former Indy Racing driver after being injured at a test session in January. The foundation raises money for spinal cord research.

The tournament has a record number of co-sponsors this year with participation from Nissan, National City Bank, Frank Weiss and Hubbard Racing. Tee or hole Sponsors are still needed for $150 per hole. For information, contact Phil Casey or Kris Callfas at (317) 484-6463.

-IRNLS/IMS-