May 30, 2008 — High fuel costs, coupled with a decrease in the number of flights traveling to and from the Caribbean, has forced the cancellation of next month's Celebrity Golf Classic, sponsored over the past three years by the Foundation for the University of the Virgin Islands.
The four-day event — which attracts a number of national celebrities — had become the university's "signature" fundraiser on St. Croix, according to a UVI press release.
"Unfortunately, because of circumstances beyond our control, we could not host the Golf Classic this year without jeopardizing the integrity and successful brand that the event has established over the last three years," according to Joseph Boschulte, UVI vice president for institutional advancement.
"Limited airlift" to the territory presented the biggest challenge in getting the classic off the ground, Boschulte said.
"Basically, we could not get the celebrities who play the tournament and participate in the sports clinics into the territory for the event," he explained. Boschulte is "optimistic," however, about the possibility of getting another golf classic organized for next year.
Last year's event featured more than two dozen celebrities, including actress Regina King, fitness guru Donna Richardson-Joyner and San Antonio Spurs power forward/center Kurt Thomas. Tournament play is usually held at Carambola Golf Course and Club House, along with activities at the Buccaneer Hotel and on UVI's St. Croix campus.
In addition to a celebrity tournament, the classic also includes sports clinics for St. Croix youngsters. For more information on the event or to become a sponsor of the 2009 FUVI Celebrity Golf Classic, call 693-1040.
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