Continued...

The spirit of it all. When the idea was hatched back in early 1990, the goal was modest: Get a few duffers together, play a little golf, and raise some money to help out a friend who was battling cancer. That's how five AT&T colleagues and three friends from Golf Digest created the "Golf-a-thon for Steve Cox."

Supporters made pledges on a per-hole basis, and those eight golfers, braving the brisk winds of a long autumn day at Newton Country Club, Newton, NJ, logged 54 holes on the scorecard. The result: the usual array of slices and shanks, birdies and bogies - not to mention, 2,800 one-dollar bills, carried in a Golf Digest duffel bag and delivered to an overwhelmed and appreciative couple, Steve and his wife, Donna.

Sadly, on May 15, 1991, after waging an inspirational 22-month battle against bone cancer, thirty-two-year-old Steve Cox succumbed to the disease.

Soon afterwards, Steve's still-grieving friends were moved to make a fateful decision. They would keep it going: They would make the golf fundraiser an annual event. It would be an ideal way to remember Steve and his courageous fight. And the money raised could be used to help others waging a similar battle.

Thus, the seed for the Steven A. Cox Charity Classic was planted.

At the time, nobody could have predicated that one day, hundreds of golfers would team up in record numbers for charity's sake. But once a year, that's exactly what happens, as they join the Cox family and their friends to celebrate Steve's life and the lives of all the children and families to whom our tournament gives hope.

Giving and caring: They have become a Cox Classic tradition. We hope you'll make it your tradition as well.

Click here to register.