Dermontti Dawson was among those who participated in the "Scramble for Skeeter" golf fundraiser

The Scramble for Skeeter, the largest fundraising event ever sponsored by the UK College of Education, succeeded in its goal to endow the Bernard M. “Skeeter” Johnson Education Fund. Dozens of UK celebrities participated to help raise money for this fund that will go toward scholarships for students in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Promotion.

Participants included 25 University of Kentucky basketball and football greats.
The two-day event commenced with the Downtown Wildcat Shootout on Thursday evening, September 5. The Shootout was an exciting new twist to the traditional golf fundraiser that further developed ties between downtown Lexington and the University of Kentucky.

In the Downtown Wildcat Shootout, the college turned the heart of Lexington into a giant miniature golf course. Teams of celebrity athletes competed in a chipping contest at four sites: Thoroughbred Park, the park at the former Fayette County courthouse near Cheapside, the green space in front of the new municipal court buildings, and Triangle Park. Spectators cheered their favorite teams as they chipped onto special "greens" for points.

The event ended in a tie between the Golden Era team (Ralph Beard, Louie Dampier, Jim LeMaster, and Randy Embry) and the Champs of the Seventies (Dan Issel, Kyle Macy, and Joe B. Hall). Winners of both teams will have their names added to a $10,000 scholarship donated in their name to the College of Education.

On Friday, the Celebrity-Am Golf Scramble was held at Kearney Hill Links. Over twenty teams participated in the Scramble. In first place was the Valvoline sponsored team, featuring Kyle Macy with members Greg David, Peter Freeman, Bob Craycraft, and Robert Block. The DeSha's team came in second place with Jim LeMaster playing alongside Aaron Campbell, Kevin Fryman, B.J. Birge, and Mike Beasely. Rounding out the top finishers was the third place team sponsored by Billy Ruch Insurance with celebrity player George Blanda assisted by Billy Ruch, Dave Bunnell, Mike Russell, and Kirk Ransdell.

Organizers extend their sincere thanks to all the companies who sponsored holes at the Downtown Shootout and the Scramble. The event concluded with a gala on Friday evening at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort. The gala featured a live, silent auction accompanied by a dance with music by The Torques.