30th year for York Special Olympics golf benefit
WGAL News 8
WGAL News 8
WGAL News 8
This is year 30 for the Ed Khayat-George Tarasovic Celebrity Golf Classic, one of York County's longest running special events. The tournament, recently re-named for its co-founders, both former NFL players, has raised over $800,000 for Special Olympics.
“You used to have trouble getting enough celebrities. Now we have more celebrities than you could possibly imagine. It's because it's a great cause. It's because people love George Tarasovic and Eddie Khayat. And it's because it's for Special Olympics ,“ said tournament director Allen Pettit.
The list of famous ex-pro athletes who have appeared here is long: Johnny Unitas, Joe Theismann, Scott Fitzkee and Lydell Mitchell to name a few. Now the younger athletes like former Penn State players Blair Thomas and Tony Hunt, are being called on to donate their time here.
“When guys get older, they can't get out there, maybe a hot day. You want them to be able sit back and hang in the shade and let us young guys come out. And continue to bring that youthful exuberance we bring," said former NFL player Tony Covington.
One of the best and most unique things about this event is the athletes do not get paid a single dollar to appear.
"Nobody gets paid here. They come on their own time. They sacrifice their family, their work to be here, to support this cause. And that's why we're here for 30 years," said tournament board member Charlie Calkins.