WHEELING - Fifteen years is a long time no matter what the topic of conversation might be. In terms of a fundraiser it's almost unheard of because of the number of tiny things that have to go just right in order to keep the train rolling.
The Patrick A. Clutter Scholarship Memorial Golf Scramble is definitely rolling. When players tee off today at Crispin, the event that including this year has welcomed more than 2,100 golfers, will mark its 15th anniversary.
The scramble is a target for just about any local golfer each season, but it's hard to get your foot in the door. The field is full again this year with aspiring competitors being turned away left and right.
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So what is the Clutter Scholarship, you ask? Well, it was created to benefit graduating communications students of Wheeling Park High School to continue their education in the field at college. The recipients this year are Kodiac Garcia and Odessa Copney.
During the past 13 years, more than $47,000 in scholarship monies have been awarded.
The golf scramble is the chief source of income for or the memorial scholarship fund. The fund is invested and maintained through the Ohio Valley Community Foundation.
Nailers Tweaking
You have to think the Wheeling Nailers believe they were on the cusp of something big last year. At least that's what I take from the recent signings. That's because all six - defensemen Peter Merth, Zach Hansen and Adam Ross, and forwards Peter Lenes, Matt Schepke and Ben Farrer - were here last year.
Word is there are a handful more of last season's playoff team that have already signed on the dotted line to return. A couple of college kids may be invited to camp, but the majority of the rest of the lineup will be filled with players who are cut in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
The Nailers also unveiled their uniforms for the upcoming season recently and have repainted the hallway and locker rooms at WesBanco Arena. The sweaters are modeled after the parents Penguins, but with the Nailers logo on the chest. The red third jersey, which will be worn during Sunday home games, has "Nailers" written diagonally on the front.
Oooh Oooh That Smell
Didn't think I could get through an August column without mentioning football, did you? It's back, baby, and nothing makes me happier.
High schools got to work Monday and West Virginia kicked things off Thursday. Hard to believe we're inside of three weeks until the first game is played.
Speaking of those Mountaineers, they were ranked 11th when the USA Today Coaches Poll came out. Some fans think that's a little too low, but I think it's just about right. Remember, for all the offense WVU returns, there's an equal amount of questions on the defensive side of the football.
Shawn Rine can be reached via e-mail at Rine@theintelligencer.net
