Third Annual Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation "Semper Fi Open" Golf Tournament raises over $40,000

Story and Photos by Roberto Rullan

Golf players arriving to sign in at around 10:00 am.

Carmel Valley, CA - 09/28/07 - Under a partially sunny day but with the perfect weather to play in a golf tournament, over 118 players participated in the “3rd Annual Semper Fi Central Coast Open Golf Tournament” at Rancho Cañada Golf Course in Carmel Valley.

Through this event, local volunteers raised over $40,000.00 for funding for academic, needs-based college scholarships that benefit the children of U.S. Marines on behalf of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

In addition to the Foundation’s traditional programs, the proceeds of

this year’s efforts give priority to supporting “Heroes Tribute Scholarship” awards. Heroes Tribute Scholarships, totaling $20,000 over four years, are awarded to every child of a Marine or Navy Corpsman serving with the Marines, whose parent is killed in combat in the Global War on Terror. This commitment is made regardless of family income in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice made for our Nation.

U.S. Marines from the Defense Language Instute presented the colors.

One of the 2007 Monterey County recipients was Michoels P. Sanginario, a former U.S. Marines and a son of a Marine. He is a student at the University of California.

Semper Fi Central Coast Open Golf Tournament included a full day tournament, golf prizes, lunch and dinner, a live and silent auction, and a raffle among others. Last year’s tournament brought in over $30,000.00 and 110 golf players participated in the tournament.

According to Chuck Erickson, a former Marine Colonel and the golf committee chairman for the Central Coast, for nearly 50 years, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has helped accomplish what many Marines cannot—enabling their children to pursue dreams of higher education.

The Foundation provides academic needs-based scholarships to

Col. (Ret.) Chuck Erickson (r)

upstanding and deserving sons and daughters of our Marines, with particular attention given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action. This funding, provided by the generosity of patriotic supporters, helps set life-altering, new paths for these young men and women while honoring our nation’s brave Marine heroes.

Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed over 21,000 scholarships valued at over $31.2 million. The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a private, nonprofit scholarship organization and is not affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps, the U.S. Government, or the Marine Corps Marathon. For more information regarding the foundation please visit their web site at http://www.mcsf.org.

“Educating our youth it is the most important issue,” said Erickson.

Individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations wishing to honor Marines and their families through an honorary or memorial scholarship, or support the Monterey, CA event through a direct contribution or sponsorship should contact the foundation at 831-625-6131.

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation provides financial assistance in the form of scholarships to deserving sons and daughters of current or former United States Marines in their pursuit of higher education. We also provide a very limited number of scholarships to children of Navy Corpsmen who serve or have served with Marines. (See specific eligibility requirements here.)

One-year scholarships (ranging from $500 -$10,000) are awarded annually and are limited to undergraduate studies at accredited educational and/or technical institutions. Our "Heroes Tribute Scholarships" (of up to $20,000 over four years) are given to the children of Marines and the children of Navy Corpsmen serving with the Marines whose parent is killed in the ongoing Global War on Terror. Current scholarship recipients must reapply each year and are limited to a total of four awards.

The deadline for application submissions for the 2007-2008 academic year is March 1, 2007 for high school seniors and April 16, 2007 for all other students.