The annual Greenberg Invitational
draws big names and big money
for cancer research.
Bill Berris and Dan Passman check out Tam 0Shanter
MIKE ROSENBAUM
Special to the Jewish News
T
he annual Hank
Greenberg Memorial Golf
and Tennis Invitational
has much in common
with the man whose memory it hon-
ors. The event is large, involves ath-
letics, has a Jewish flavor, and stands
for important principles.
Set for June 24 this year, the event
raises in excess of $100,000 annually
for cancer research, treatment and
equipment. The event's core values
attracted Farmington Hills resident
Dan Passman to work on the invita-
tional for the past six years, includ-
ing the last four as co-chairman. Bill
Berris is the other co-chair.
Passman appreciates the event's
"goals of raising funds for battling
cancer, using the world of sports as a
vehicle for fund-raising, and also
honoring the Michigan Jewish
Sports Hall of Fame inductees."
The Hall of Fame supplies another
connection with the event's name-
sake. Greenberg was one of the
Hall's original inductees, in 1985,
about a year before the former
Detroit Tigers baseball star died of
cancer.
Even 15 years after his death,
Greenberg's aura remains a large part
of the event. Hank Greenberg's name
"ties a Jewish legend in the sport of
baseball to our event," said Passman.
"There's a very strong connection in
this city, because he played for the
Tigers and he was Jewish."
Passman referred to Greenberg's
famous decision not to play in a key
game-on Yom Kippur, adding that
Greenberg "stood for his principles
and I think as a people we take pride
in that. He made his stand. When
you think of Hank Greenberg, you
not only think of the numbers he
put up as a baseball player, but for
what he did for the Jewish people in
saying, 'This is who we are, and this
is what we have to do.'"
The golfing side of the Greenberg
Invitational features about 270 par-
ticipants playing on two courses,
Tam-O-Shanter Country Club in
West Bloomfield and Pine Lake
Country Club in Orchard Lake.
About 50 more people play tennis at
Tam-O-Shanter. The day is capped
with a dinner.
The day also features celebrities
from the sports and entertainment
world. Over the years, participants
have included Al Kaline, Sandy
Koufax, Gale Sayers, Tommy Lasorda,
Oscar Robertson and Joe Namath.
This year's guest honoree is former
Chicago Cubs star Ernie Banks.
Meeting The Stars
"As people attend the Greenberg
(event) each year there's a certain
expectation as to who they'll see and
meet," Passman said. "That's the
other nice thing about the
Greenberg, it puts people in an envi-
ronment where they can meet with
these celebrities and talk to them,
possibly even play a round of golf
with them."
Many look forward to seeing the
invited celebrities "up close and per-
sonal" at the dinner program. This
year's program will be without its
usual master of ceremonies, the late
sportscaster Dick Schaap. Schaap's
son, ESPN sportscaster Jeremy, will
take his place, along with
Greenberg's son Stephen.
Stephen Greenberg, who arranged
for Banks' participation, "is an inte-
gral part (of the event) throughout
the year as we develop each
Greenberg, as far as putting us in
contact with the various personali-
ties," said Passman. "He is connect-
ed and networked in the sports field.
He's been very, very helpful in bring
a top-quality lineup."
The event also includes local busi-
nesses through a variety of sponsor-
ships. This year's event will feature a
raffle of a BMW 325 convertible,
donated by Erhard BMW Only 850
tickets, priced at $100 apiece, will
be sold.
The Greenberg Invitational and
the BMW raffle are the first ele-
ments of the new Michigan Jewish
Sports Foundation Web site,
michiganjewishsports.org .
Passman is spearheading the proj-
ect, that will eventually include
information on the Michigan Jewish
Sports Hall of Fame, the annual Hall
of Fame Games, along with tributes
and recognition of donations.
"The important thing when we set
up the Web site," said Passman, "was
that it was not just to be a
Greenberg site or a way to raise
money through a car raffle. It's really
the body of the Michigan Jewish
Sports Foundation."
❑
B'nai Milk Sets
20th Golf Classic
B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region will
host its 20th annual golf classic
11:30 a.m. Monday, June 17, at
Wabeek Country Club in Bloomfield
Township.
Proceeds from the event benefit
B'nai B'rith's youth agencies.
The event begins with a brunch,
followed by 18 holes of golf, dinner
and silent and live auctions. Cost is
$295 ($225 for those under age 30).
For information, call B'nai B'rith,
(248) 646-3100
4/19
2002
99