FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast Department of Athletics hosted 73 golfers at the Miromar Lakes Beach and Golf Club on Monday, December 3 for the 3rd Annual Eagles Celebrity Classic. The event raised a total of $25,000 that will go towards funding for the FGCU athletic department and its student-athletes.

The group of Tommy Huether, J.D. Huether, Bubba Huether and former World Series Champion Derek Lowe won the tournament by shooting a 53 (-19), which was the low score of the day on the beautiful par-72, 6,184 yard course. The group recorded an impressive three eagles and 13 birdies as they finished five shots ahead of the second place group.

"We are so appreciative of the tremendous growing support that we are garnering from greater SW Florida,” said Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh. “Inclusive in the groups of those we are so thankful for are both our generous donors and the fantastic celebrities who gave of their valuable time to help make this event and last night’s “Night at the Nest” fundraiser gala such huge successes. We would also like to commend Ron McEwan and John Counsell for their terrific leadership in enhancing the golf outing. Along with their fellow committee members, as well as Ken McMaster and the wonderful folks at Miromar Lake Beach and Golf Club, our 2012 event was better than ever and we look forward to building upon this as we continue to move forward to grow the resources available for our outstanding collection of FGCU student-athletes and coaches.”  

Following the 18-hole, four-man scramble competition, all participants gathered in the clubhouse for a post-round buffet and awards ceremony. The awards up for grabs included lowest team score, closest to pin for men and women on the par-3 third hole and closest to the line. Listed below are the winners for each award.

Lowest Team Score (53)

Tommy Huether
J.D. Huether
Bubba Huether
Derek Lowe

Closest to the Pin

Larry Baldwin (3 ft. 11 in.)
Betty Campbell (23 ft. 1 in.)

Closest to the Line

FGCU Head Baseball Coach Dave Tollett

Celebrities Who Attended The Event

Chris Sale – Starting Pitcher for the Chicago White Sox

Casey Coleman – Relief Pitcher for the Chicago Cubs

Derek Lowe – MLB Starting Pitcher and Former World Series Champion

Matt LaPorta – First Baseman for the Cleveland Indians

Gene LaMont – Third Base Coach for the Detroit Tigers

Mike Zunino – Minor League Professional Baseball Player

Rich Dubee – Pitching Coach for the Philadelphia Phillies

Michael Tucker – 12-Year Major League Baseball Player

Rick Knapp – Minor League Pitching Coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers

Chris Resop – Relief Pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Anthony Swarzak – Relief Pitcher for the Minnesota Twins