Rookies join the fray

The 2005 Imus Teed Off Celebrity Challenge will feature 4 new participants competing to stick the 18th green at Fiddler's Elbow River Course. Former heavyweight contender Gerry Cooney, whose professional 28-3 record included 25 knockouts and whose 1982 title fight with Larry Holmes was one of the most hyped in history, will be making his first appearance at the Cox Classic. Joining Cooney will be Val Skinner, a six-time winner on the LPGA Tour, a member of the victorious 1996 U.S. Solheim Cup Team, and among the top money winners in Tour history. Also joining the first-time shooters is CBS2 meteorologist John Bolaris. A native of Long Island and a four-time Emmy Award winner, Bolaris is CBS2's meteorologist on the 5 PM, 6 PM, and 11 PM newscasts. He joined CBS2 from Philadelphia's WCAU-TV, where he was meteorologist for the station's 4 PM, 5 PM, 6 PM and 11 PM newscasts and weekdays on Y100 Radio. The final newcomer to this year's Challenge is NBC Sports essayist and commentator, Jimmy Roberts. Roberts, a member of the network's golf broadcast team who also writes a regular column for The Met Golfer, emerged as one of the stars of NBC's Olympic coverage with his "Olympic Moments" series.