GRIFFINS' YOUTH HOCKEY CAMP AND GOLF OUTING RETURN

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – This summer, the Grand Rapids Griffins are inviting fans to participate in either of two long-running West Michigan traditions: the Griffins’ Youth Hockey Camp, to be held the weeks of July 27-31 and Aug. 3-7 at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park, and the 21st annual Griffins Youth Foundation Golf Classic at Egypt Valley Country Club on Monday, Aug. 31.

The Griffins Youth Hockey Camp will be conducted by Griffins assistant coach Pat Ferschweiler, who will be joined on a part-time basis by four notable hockey pros from West Michigan: former Griffins and current Red Wings Justin Abdelkader and Luke Glendening, current Griffin Mitch Callahan, and longtime NHLer and current Grand Rapids assistant coach Mike Knuble. Offered to kids ages 6-16, the camp helps players maximize their skills through on-ice instruction, dry-land training and off-ice video sessions.

The camp will be broken up into two one-week sessions, with a discount available to participants in both weeks. In addition to 12 hours of ice time and 12 hours of dry-land training, the $350 cost per child per week will include a camp jersey, t-shirt, hat, a daily lunch provided by popular area restaurants and a locker room to leave equipment in. For more information about the camp, please click here or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3025.

A West Michigan tradition since 1995, the golf classic is the largest fundraiser for the Griffins Youth Foundation, which provides opportunities for 350 kids – many of whom are underprivileged, underserved or have other special needs – to participate in the great sport of hockey at no cost. The Griffins Youth Foundation seeks to promote academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among area youth, enhancing their lives through hockey and ice-related sports. One of the largest charitable events in West Michigan, the golf classic raises around $70,000 for the Griffins Youth Foundation and its programs each year and has totaled well in excess of one million dollars in its 20-year history. For more information about the Griffins Youth Foundation, please visit griffinskids.org.

This marks the seventh consecutive year that the event will be held at the renowned, 36-hole Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich. Following the 10 a.m. shotgun start, golfers will be treated to 18 holes of golf – half of the field on the Ridge course and half on the Valley course – as well as on-course food and refreshments provided by West Side Beer, Pepsi, Leo’s Restaurant, P.F. Chang’s, Peppino’s Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings. Afterward, golfers will gather in the clubhouse for dinner and both a high-end raffle and an auction. Prizes will include HDTVs, iPod touches, DVD players, GPS systems, cameras, golf equipment, vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more.

Meijer and Landmark Aviation will serve as title sponsors for the event. Registration for the golf classic is now open for individual golfers ($225) and foursomes ($800). Sponsorships start at $1,000, including a tee sponsor and foursome for $1,500. For more information, please click here or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3027.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – This summer, the Grand Rapids Griffins are inviting fans to participate in either of two long-running West Michigan traditions: the Griffins’ Youth Hockey Camp, to be held the weeks of July 27-31 and Aug. 3-7 at Griff’s IceHouse at Belknap Park, and the 21st annual Griffins Youth Foundation Golf Classic at Egypt Valley Country Club on Monday, Aug. 31.

The Griffins Youth Hockey Camp will be conducted by Griffins assistant coach Pat Ferschweiler, who will be joined on a part-time basis by four notable hockey pros from West Michigan: former Griffins and current Red Wings Justin Abdelkader and Luke Glendening, current Griffin Mitch Callahan, and longtime NHLer and current Grand Rapids assistant coach Mike Knuble. Offered to kids ages 6-16, the camp helps players maximize their skills through on-ice instruction, dry-land training and off-ice video sessions.

The camp will be broken up into two one-week sessions, with a discount available to participants in both weeks. In addition to 12 hours of ice time and 12 hours of dry-land training, the $350 cost per child per week will include a camp jersey, t-shirt, hat, a daily lunch provided by popular area restaurants and a locker room to leave equipment in. For more information about the camp, please click here or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3025.

A West Michigan tradition since 1995, the golf classic is the largest fundraiser for the Griffins Youth Foundation, which provides opportunities for 350 kids – many of whom are underprivileged, underserved or have other special needs – to participate in the great sport of hockey at no cost. The Griffins Youth Foundation seeks to promote academic excellence, community involvement and healthy lifestyles among area youth, enhancing their lives through hockey and ice-related sports. One of the largest charitable events in West Michigan, the golf classic raises around $70,000 for the Griffins Youth Foundation and its programs each year and has totaled well in excess of one million dollars in its 20-year history. For more information about the Griffins Youth Foundation, please visit griffinskids.org.

This marks the seventh consecutive year that the event will be held at the renowned, 36-hole Egypt Valley Country Club in Ada, Mich. Following the 10 a.m. shotgun start, golfers will be treated to 18 holes of golf – half of the field on the Ridge course and half on the Valley course – as well as on-course food and refreshments provided by West Side Beer, Pepsi, Leo’s Restaurant, P.F. Chang’s, Peppino’s Pizza and Buffalo Wild Wings. Afterward, golfers will gather in the clubhouse for dinner and both a high-end raffle and an auction. Prizes will include HDTVs, iPod touches, DVD players, GPS systems, cameras, golf equipment, vacation packages, sports memorabilia and more.

Meijer and Landmark Aviation will serve as title sponsors for the event. Registration for the golf classic is now open for individual golfers ($225) and foursomes ($800). Sponsorships start at $1,000, including a tee sponsor and foursome for $1,500. For more information, please click here or call (616) 774-4585 ext. 3027.