CAMM's Charity Golf Event Bestows Monetary Support to Fishing School

Ron Bailey, Publisher

The Curtis and Monica Malone Foundation does it right. Again.

July 2, 2009 – For the last three years, the Curtis and Monica Malone Foundation (CAMM) has through it's Charity Golf Tournament benefited people and causes in need. Curtis, long time director of DC Assault, one of the longest standing and most successful elite boys travel teams on the East Coast, has often said "I'm about more than basketball. The best thing you can do is help somebody".

Well, he, Monica and numerous college coaches this Monday helped the Fishing School, an institution that since 1990 has provided "a safe haven, caring adults and academic support for under-served children and youth (ages 6-12) empowering them to pen doors to limitless possibilities", according to the school's Mission Statement.

Many who were in attendance posed afterward.

The school, founded by James Lewis provides these crucial services to it's Southeast, DC based clientele free of charge, over the years serving greather than 2500 young people. The need for funds is obviously great; enter CAMM.

"All of the proceeds from this event go directly to the Fishing School" said Monica Malone, CAMM's Executive Director and the dynamo that conceives and executes this event yearly. "We are honored to partner with the Fishing school".

Monica on being able to execute such an event personally (effort that took about four months): This is wonderful, this is truly my thing. I love my job, but if I could just do this...this is my passion".

Curtis Malone was also sanguine regarding the day. "It's always good to get guys out and to support a worthy cause, without having to worry about recruiting or kids" he said while finishing up 18 holes of golf (no recruitable athletes were present). "It's just about reaching out and giving back".

Monica Malone, the driving force behind CAMM's Charity Golf Tournament.

Nate Britt, Jr., a 15 and under age classification coach with Assault, said "I thought it was great, to see how college coaches came out, supported Fishing School, and enjoyed the day. It was a beautiful day for golf".

Indeed it was, 80 degrees at it's warmest, with no rain or even overcast skies. Britt made the most of it, as his team placed second in the competition, and personally garnering closest to the pen awards for the second and seventh holes. The team of Whittenburg (Dereck, head coach at Fordham) and Ellerbe (Brian, assistant at George Washington) took third, while the quartet of Joe Wilson, Marcus Stevens, Jeff Brooks and Curtis Pleasant placed first.

The course and host, Renditions (Davidsonville, MD) consists of replica holes of many of the world's top courses. For instance, Britt's success on two and seven was achieved by placing the ball closest to the pin on a facsimile of Inverness Club's #12 and the same numbered hole at Augusta National, respectively.

A-10 rivals on the court, Karl Hobbs (left) and Dereck Whittenburg joined forces in golf, to assist the Fishing School.

Monica Malone had many platitudes for the course and its staff, saying "They are awesome. They've just been the best to work with...They were so professional. We are hoping to have it here next year".

A date has not been chosen for 2010, but August and early June/late May were being thrown around as options. Those dates,both sandwiching the likely open recruiting period of July (if the NCAA doesn't change things from now until then) will allow CAMM's Charity Golf Tournament to be fully attended and supported, or as Monica said assist "Friends who see what we see in terms of helping people" to do so.

Check back with i95Ballerz.com for updates on next year's iteration of CAMM's Charity Golf Tournament. It's a testament to what happens when people care.

Partial Listing of Coaches/Programs Attending (apologies got out to those not listed):

GW - Karl Hobbs (Head Coach) and Brian Ellerbe (Asst.)
Fordham - Dereck Whittenburg (Head Coach)
Morgan State - Todd Bozeman (Head Coach)
Boston U. - Orlando Vandross (Assoc. Head coach)
UVA - Ron Sanchez (Asst.)
Memphis - Rod Strickland (Asst.)
Kansas State - Dalonte Hill (Asst.)
Georgetown - Dave Cox (Asst.)
UMBC - Aki Thomas (Asst.) and fellow coach
NCSU - Larry Harris (Asst.)
Villanova - Jason Donnelly (Asst.)
Loyola (MD) - Asst.
JMU - Asst.

Coverage of the event's first year

Coverage of the event's second year