Herzog to speak at Southeast golf event in April

Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan is always trying to come up with unique ways to raise money for his program.

Hogan's latest venture figures to be a big hit with anybody who followed the St. Louis Cardinals during some of their exciting and highly successful Whitey Herzog-led times of the 1980s.

Herzog, the Cardinals' former colorful manager, will be the special guest on April 19 at the first annual Joe Uhls Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner, named in honor of Southeast's late, legendary baseball coach.

All proceeds from the day's activities will go directly to the Southeast baseball program.

"It should be quite an event," Hogan said. "We're really looking forward to it."

The four-person tournament will begin at noon (registration at 10:30 a.m.) at Bent Creek Golf Course in Jackson. A buffet dinner and silent auction will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the Cape Girardeau Elks Lodge. Herzog, the featured speaker, will address the gathering at 7 p.m., with the event scheduled to conclude at approximately 10 p.m.

Talking baseball

"Whitey is one of the best speakers on the sport of baseball you'll ever hear," Hogan said. "People are really going to enjoy lots of baseball talk with Whitey, and he's also going to play in the tournament, which is neat."

Hogan said Bent Creek has a maximum of 34 teams, so the first 34 teams to register and pay their entry fees will play golf. There are a variety of financial packages for tournament entry.

Grand Slam package of $1,000 per team includes entry to the tournament, a banner at the tournament and dinner, tee and hole sponsorship (keep the autographed flag), four Joe Uhls Memorial golf towels, four Joe Uhls Memorial golf shirts, four tickets to the dinner with special seating, four golf team pictures with Herzog and Hogan, and sponsor mentions on all media advertisements.

Home Run package of $600 per team includes entry to the tournament, tee sponsorship, four Joe Uhls Memorial golf shirts, four tickets to the dinner and four golf team pictures with Hogan.

Base Hit package of $400 per team includes entry to the tournament, four tickets to the dinner and four golf team pictures.

There are also individual options: hole sponsorship for $100 (keep the autographed flag); golf entry and dinner for $100; golf entry only for $85; dinner only for $30; tee sponsorship for $50; and cart sponsorship for $25.

For more information or to enter, call 986-6002.

"Our program continues to grow and part of our success is the result of all the great contributors who have supported us over the years," Hogan said. "Hopefully this event will be a big success and I promise everyone will have a great time.

"It would be a shame to have Whitey Herzog here and not be able to fill all the spots for the tournament, so hopefully people will really get on board."