FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2006

Contact: USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc.
      Frank Lennon
      (401) 831-8696

      Ted Williams Museum
      Dave McCarthy
      352-476-6042

      Deb Morais
      401-934-0708

This project will kick off with a fundraising dinner on Sunday evening, April 30 at the Varnum Armory in East Greenwich, followed by a golf tournament on Monday, May 1. The best-ball tournament will take place at the Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, RI with a shotgun start at noon.

Former Red Sox General Manager Lou Gorman will be Master of Ceremonies at the April 30 kickoff dinner during which foursomes who want to golf with a ballplayer on Monday will have their chance to earn that privilege. The Sunday evening event will also include a major auction of sports memorabilia, to include items autographed by Ted Williams and Babe Ruth.

Both events are cosponsored by the Florida-based Ted Williams Museum, which recently closed its facility north of Tampa. The end result will be a permanent display of Ted's military and baseball memorabilia here in Rhode Island as part of the Saratoga project.

Dave McCarthy, a former Major in the New Hampshire State Police who is now Executive Director of the Ted Williams Museum, enthusiastically embraced the idea of working together on the project when Lennon presented it.

"We will also provide enough baseball material so that visitors can make the link between Ted's military and baseball careers," added McCarthy.

Catalyst for the agreement was the Foundation's acquisition of a rare F9F Panther jet, the same type Williams flew in combat as a Marine fighter pilot in Korea. According to Frank Lennon, Foundation President, the plane will be restored in the colors of Ted's unit, Marine Fighter Squadron VMF-311.

Both events enjoy the support of the Red Sox organization. In a recent letter, Red Sox VP Dr. Charles Steinberg wrote, "On behalf of the Boston Red Sox, we are delighted to support your mission...[we] wish you the best of luck in your capital campaign, and look forward to offering our support."

Former Red Sox pitcher Dick Drago is serving as Celebrity Host for this event. He has invited a number of former teammates and other Red Sox legends to participate.

"I spoke personally with Jim Rice, Luis Tiant and BIll Lee during spring training, and they plan to play assuming their work schedules do not conflict," said Drago.

Others who have confirmed their participation include Bill Almon, Joe Lahoud, Ted Lepcio, Skip Lockwood, Rick Miller, Bob Montgomery, Joe Morgan, Mike Roarke, Dave Stenhouse and Wilbur Wood.

"We also expect that Gary DiSarcina, Ray Jarvis, Bill Monboquette and Johnny Pesky will be participating," said Lennon, who spoke with several of the Red Sox legends at the annual Ted Williams Museum banquet in Florida on March 14.

Golf participation will be limited to 36 foursomes. Cost to play is $800 per foursome or $225 per individual; tee signs are $150.

Tickets to the dinner on April 30 will be $50 per person, $90 per couple.

Some major sponsorship opportunities are also available for both events.

For further information or reservations, please call Bob Albee or Josh Gould at 401-398-1000, or e-mail: savesara@aol.com.

Registration forms may also be downloaded from the internet at:

http://www.saratogamuseum.org/events/golf/registerform06.pdf

Dick Drago is available for interview/comment. Please call Frank Lennon at 401-831-8696 to make arrangements.

The USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit and an all-volunteer group, has worked for seven years to create a family attraction, educational center, museum and memorial at the former Quonset/Davisville naval complex, featuring the aircraft carrier Saratoga as the centerpiece. Further information can be obtained at http://www.saratogamuseum.org.

Last Updated:
4/11/06