Camarillo, CA. – The California State University Channel Islands 2009 Dolphin Classic Golf Tournament will be held Monday, Aug. 31 at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo. This tournament will raise funds to establish intercollegiate athletic programs at CSUCI.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the annual Dolphin Classic Golf Tournament and meeting community members and supporters to CSU Channel Islands,” said Director of Athletics Carl Reed. “The 2009 Dolphin Classic will help lay the foundation of our intercollegiate athletic program.”

Aspen Helicopters will again sponsor the Helicopter Ball Drop, which provides an opportunity for anyone to participate in the tournament. The CSUCI University Foundation will sell up to 500 numbered golf balls for $10 each. At 11 a.m. all the purchased golf balls will be dropped on the driving range. The purchaser of the winning ball—the ball that makes it closest to or goes in the hole—will be announced at the award ceremony, but doesn’t have to be present to win. Golf balls can be purchased by calling 805-437-8916 until 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28.

The tournament will be played with four-member teams choosing either to use the point-par system, which is more competitive, or the more recreational Callaway scoring system. The players from the winning team of each format will have an opportunity to play in the Million Dollar Shootout – a hole-in-one contest.

The Million Dollar Shootout will be held after regular tournament play. If one of the golfers in the shootout makes a hole in one, he or she wins $1 million.

There also will be a hole-in-one contest during regular tournament play on one of the holes sponsored by Steve Thomas BMW of Camarillo. Any player who makes a hole-in-one on the hole sponsored by Steve Thomas BMW will take home a new car.

Check-in for the event and a welcome from CSUCI President Richard R. Rush will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will include a continental breakfast, skills competition, and team portraits. The Helicopter Ball Drop will be held at 11 a.m. The tournament’s shotgun start will be at 11:30 a.m. A cocktail reception and silent auction will begin at 4:15 p.m. Dinner, a live auction and awards will begin at 5 p.m.

This event has attracted several tournament sponsors including Canteen of Coastal California, Inc., Paul Carter, Encompass Multimedia, Four Seasons Cleaners, Gold Coast Broadcasting, Omega Sport & Rehabilitation, PCL Construction Leaders, Roadrunner Shuttle & Limousine, Sheeler Moving and Storage, Sodexo, Steve Thomas BMW, University Marelich Mechanical, Ventura County Star, and Marc D. Wolfsohn, M.D.

Various sponsorship levels are offered for team entries, and entries will be accepted as space is available. Tickets for the awards dinner and auction are included with all entries, and additional dinner tickets can be purchased at $50 each.

For more information contact Mitchel Sloan, Director of University Affairs at CSUCI at 805-437-8916 or mitchel.sloan@csuci.edu.