Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
LEESBURG - A quick and heavy downpour may have shortened the number of holes played at Tippecanoe Country Club Monday afternoon during the Indiana University Club of Kosciusko County's annual golf outing, but it didn't seem to dampen the spirits of those there to see men's basketball coach Mike Davis.
Davis was on hand at Tippecanoe Lake Country Club as a guest speaker at the golf outing and at the club's dinner Monday evening.
According to club president Stan Fox, there are 1,600 Indiana University graduates in Kosciusko County. There were a total of 132 that signed up for the golf outing Monday afternoon, which was shortened from 18 holes to nine, and 175 for the dinner program.
"I'm here to help with the raising of scholarships," said Davis, whose Hoosier men's basketball team was the national runner-up to Maryland in 2002. "They've been supportive of me, and I'm here to help support them."
Money raised from the events will be used as scholarship money for a student from Kosciusko County wanting to attend Indiana University.
Fox said that $5,000 was raised this year, and that $11,000 has been raised over the past four years.
"Having Coach Davis here means a huge boost in interest and participation in our golf outing," said Fox.
Fox also said that the club would like to thank its 32 sponsors, and Tippecanoe Lake Country Club golf professional Todd Firestone for hosting the event.
The day's festivities included a golfing clinic, putting competition, and longest drive competition, which was won by former Wawasee High School standout Stephan Conrad.
Answering questions in between photo shoots with foursomes of the scramble-style golf outing, Davis talked about his recruiting class.
Though two of his early recruits are expected to be taken in the NBA draft, many college basketball experts consider IU's incoming class as one of the top five in the nation.
Among those going to IU to play basketball for Davis include Indiana Mr. Basketball A.J. Ratliff of Indianapolis North Central and Robert Vaden, who won a state championship Indianapolis Pike in 2003 before transferring to an academy in Maine.
Fort Wayne Elmhurst's James Hardy, who finished third in Indiana Mr. Basketball voting this year, will play basketball for the Hoosiers but will be listed as a walk-on as he will be a scholarship football player.
"I rode through the rain and hail to get here," said Davis. "I'm going to update people here on the basketball program and talk about the recruiting process. I definitely think our recruiting class is top five in the country."
