Article for CVS Classic
Jenna Masnyk
It has been exactly one decade since the birth of this charitable tournament, the CVS Caremark Charity Classic. Since 1999 this event has raised over $10 million for various charities all over the region, ranging from health care facilities to schools. All of this would not be possible without the help of this tournament's two co-hosts, Billy Andrade and Brad Faxon. Both Andrade and Faxon have consistently put forth their time and effort helping out numerous charities and children. These two professionals never hesitate to teach kids the skills and passion of golf.
Tournament staff has also done a phenomenal job throughout the past decade, ensuring that the fans, volunteers, sponsors as well as players have a fun time both on and off the course. Fans from all over New England flock to Barrington to watch the pros play two great rounds of golf, swarming the course that is Rhode Island Country Club. Each year returning and new pros get together in hopes of beating the tournament's best winning score, an amazing 23 under par, held by Mark Calcavecchia and Nick Price in 2001.
The 20-player field consists of professionals from around the world, including the fan favorite, in my opinion, Rocco Mediate. After finishing a spectacular 91-hole U.S Open second place finish, Mediate joins the field, attracting thousands of fans. As Mediate made the journey to the 18th green for the Opening Ceremony, he was greeted by not only claps, but loud cheers. His thrilling rounds against Tiger have shown the fans that he has come out to play as well as win.
However, being a young lady and avid golfer myself, I am pulling for the women's duo to win, Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale. Even though this is both Diaz and Castrale's first appearance at the Charity Classic, I am confidante that they will come out on top. Together they have a total of 3 LPGA Tour Victories and over 5 million dollars in career earnings. Diaz and Castrale were the third group to tee off this morning, with co-host Billy Andrade and Davis Love III. Nevertheless, it is only the first round and a lot can happen within 36 holes. It's going to be two intense rounds of golf, so the fans will just have to hold their suspense till tomorrow in order to see who will hold the title of 2008 CVS Caremark Charity Classic.
