(January 29, 2003)- Sam Houston Race Park’s Chaplaincy will host its tenth annual Benefit Golf Tournament on Monday, March 10 at the Longwood Golf Course.

The tournament has been in place since 1995 and will benefit the Sam Houston Jockey’s Crisis Fund and the Sam Houston Chaplaincy Program. The event is the primary source of fundraising for the many programs and services offered by the Sam Houston Race Park Chaplaincy.

The Sam Houston Jockey’s Crisis Fund assists jockeys who have been injured on the racetrack. The fund was established in December, 2001 after jockey Terry Stanton suffered a severe ankle and leg injury and was unable to ride for eight months.

"Because of what Terry and many other injured jockeys go through, we started the Jockey's Crisis Fund," said Sam Houston Race Park Chaplain, John Shumaker. "The account is important so that if jockey is injured, riders can concentrate on their recovery and rehabilitation and know that there is money to help pay the bills."

"Words can’t describe how last year’s golf tournament helped me," jockey Terry Stanton remembers. "My wife was pregnant at the time with our first baby, and with me being injured, we were always at the doctor’s office. We were struggling, but the money helped out a lot."

The various Chaplaincy programs include a Sunday morning worship service for horsemen and race patrons at Sam Houston Race Park at 11:00 a.m. The Chaplaincy also provides clothing, blankets and food for backside workers. Counseling is provided for spiritual, emotional and financial needs, as well as gambling, marital and drug and alcohol problems.

Activities will kick off with a putting contest at 12:00 p.m. and the "4 Man Scramble" will begin at 1:00 p.m. with a shotgun start. Entry fee is $60 per player and will include dinner and beverages. Along with the scramble, prizes will be awarded for "Hole in One", "Closest to the Pin" and "Longest Drive". Following the tournament, a live auction and a money raffle will also be held.

For additional information, contact Linda Hearen of the Chaplaincy office at (281) 807-8864.