Pocono News Section

Blaise Alexander Memorial Golf Tournament

Blaise Alexander Memorial Golf Tournament - Wednesday, September 2, 2009 at 3:28PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Sep 2, 2009 @ 03:28pm EST
Mill Hall, Clinton County-

From tragedy comes charity. The Blaise R. Alexander Memorial Golf Tournament was held Wednesday at the Clinton Country Club.

Alexander was a race car driver from Montoursville. He was killed in a racing accident in October of 2001 at the age of 25.

Each year, family and friends come together at the tournament to remember Blaise and his mother Annie.

Blaise's good friend, NASCAR superstar Jimmie Johnson, flew in from New York for the occasion.

Johnson said, "You know Blaise was a big part of my life and I only knew him for a few years. But the years I did, he meant the world to me and really impacted my life."

His father, Blaise L. Alexander, noted, "These people come out, they know it's a charity, they really have a great time. We had to cancel this one because of the rain here about a month ago, and we got blessed with a great day. So everything's looking good."

The tournament has raised anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 in previous years. Money collected here benefit local charities and provide scholarships to high school students from Montoursville and Mount Carmel.