July 14, 2005 – Some celebrities were still a bit beat from a full day of travel, but most seemed to be having fun at the VIP reception Thursday at Government House for the University of the Virgin Islands Celebrity Golf Classic.
Tanya Roberts, a former Charlie's Angel, and Richard Roundtree, who played the original Shaft, were two who just arrived that day, but found the energy to enjoy the festivities in Christiansted.
Neither had been to St. Croix before, but both said they liked what they saw so far. They are staying at the Carambola Resort.
Norman Nixon, who once played for the Lakers, was also enjoying the event. He said he had been on St. Croix numerous times.
He said he played with Ray Milligan from St. Croix in college and Milligan introduced him to the island and when the opportunity arises, he returns.
He said when he heard about the UVI Foundation effort, "I wanted to do anything I could to help this get started."
He said he isn't a great golfer and "I hope I don't tear up the course too much." The UVI Golf Classic is Saturday.
Willie Gault, former player for the Bears and Raiders, seemed more confident about his golf game. He said, "I hit a long ball." He did, however, seem concerned when told the Carambola course calls for a lot of accuracy.
LaVerne E. Ragster, UVI president, said fund raisers like this one sometimes take a couple of years to become profitable. She said that in this first year the university foundation was hoping to break even and it appeared it was on track to do that.
The weekend event is not just a fund raiser. Free sports clinics are being offered to St. Croix youngsters. There is a youth golf clinic 9 to 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Carambola Golf Club. PGA Tour qualifier Tim O'Neal will lead it. At the same time there will be a youth football clinic 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the UVI St. Croix.
In her opening remarks Ragster said that UVI offers "a whole gamut of opportunities" to students, and events like this help that happen.
Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards welcomed the celebrities and also joined in a quadrille dance afer the opening remarks.
Besides the golf classic and sports clinics there will be a fashion show 9 p.m. pool side at the Carambola Beach and Golf Resort on Friday, and on Saturday there is a Poker Tournament 7 p.m. at the Divi Carina Bay Casino.
One of the big names promised for the event was actor Samuel Jackson. He was not at the reception and it was not known whether he would be at the golf tournament.
For more information call 693-1040.
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