Off the Field: Alonzo Mourning

If you're in Westchester, New York, you can't miss this!

NBA champion, author, and nationally recognized philanthropist, Alonzo Mourning, will be joined by other like-minded golf enthusiasts and supporters of youth initiatives on the golf course for the 6th annual Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout – giving one lucky golfer the chance to win $1,000,000! The 6th Annual Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout will tee-off at 12:00PM on Monday, August 17th, 2009 at the Trump National Golf Club at Briarcliff Manor in New York, to benefit Alonzo Mourning Charities.

Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout has been a staple golf outing for the past five years, where golfers not only come out to compete for the chance at one million dollars but also to support the programs of Alonzo Mourning Charities. The foundation empowers and educates today’s youth through various enrichment services that help further stimulate the educational development children residing in low socioeconomic communities.

Joining Mourning on the course this year will be John Starks and Allen Houston (former New York Knicks players), Ben Gordon (Detroit Pistons), Kenny Lofton (former NBA player), Lawrence Taylor and Bruce Smith (former NFL players), and Stephen A. Smith (ESPN analyst). “It’s always fun to get on the golf course with old colleagues and meet new friends too - of course, the anticipation of waiting for that one lucky person to win a million dollars can be very gripping,” said Mourning, Founder of Alonzo Mourning Charities. “Also, the support of our guests can not be understated. Their participation really helps advance our mission. With increased financial resources, we’re able to change the lives of so many deserving children through education and mentoring.”

Donald Trump and the Trump National Golf Club hosts Zo’s Million Dollar Shootout each year. The golf course is among the most highly regarded in the area boasting world-class facilities and a 7,291-yard par 72 golf course designed by golf course architect Jim Fazio. Located in the heart of Westchester County, Trump National Golf Club is just 30 minutes from Manhattan and under an hour from Newark.

Participants in the tournament will not only shoot it out for the chance to win one million dollars, but will also enjoy a complimentary gift bag with top-of-the-line golf gear, welcome breakfast reception prepared by top chefs, putting contest, round of golf, post-reception feast featuring culinary delights, awards ceremony, and a live auction with exclusive items and celebrity experiences up for bid.

Register for a foursome and/or receive additional information by visiting www.ZoShootOut.com or calling 305/476-0095.

ALONZO MOURNING CHARITIES
Alonzo Mourning Charities (AM Charities) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) public fundraising foundation. Its mission is to encourage the educational development of youth by creating programs and youth enrichment centers that promote positive change in low socioeconomic communities. Since 1997, AM Charities has raised more than $7 million for various programs that aid in the development of children and their families. In addition to supporting numerous educational initiatives, AM Charities also includes:

• Honey Shine Mentoring Program, founded in 2002, this program works to empower young girls to shine as women through bi-weekly workshops and summer camp that help encourage the balance of mind, body, and soul in girls and women by providing nurturing experiences that enlighten their paths and empower their future (www.HoneyShine.org).
• Overtown Youth Center, the first youth enrichment center opened by AM Charities in 2003 in the historic area of Overtown in South Florida, which inspires and empowers youth and families by fostering hope through enrichment services (www.OvertownYouth.org). The next youth center is targeted for Bunche Park in Miami Gardens.
• Zo’s Fund For Life was launched by Alonzo Mourning during the 2001 NBA All-Star Weekend, a program that raises funds for research, education, and testing to fight Focal Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a degenerative kidney ailment that Mourning was diagnosed with at the start of the 2001 season (www.ZosFundForLife.com).