Mission

This Mission of the Drew Steele/Skip Holtz Golf Classic is to develop relationships with the community and raise financial support for The Special Populations of Pitt County and the Drew Steele Endowment Fund.

Vision

The vision of the DS/SH board is to raise funds for the Drew Steele Greater Greenville Foundation and continue to support The Special Populations of Pitt County.

Birth of the DSSH Golf Classic

"I remember when I first met Coach Steele and Drew," recalls Holtz. The new head coach had been recruited to play in a Special Olympics fund-raising golf tournament at Bradford Creek Golf Club in Greenville.

"I went out there with a bad attitude," he said. "I had just taken over this program and I had a million things to do. I went out there and it was cold and windy and I ended up playing golf with Drew and Mike. Seeing how positive Drew was I realized that I needed to change my attitude."

In fact, the new head coach was enthralled enough with Drew he decided his whole football team needed some of what the young man had to offer.

"I was so impressed with Drew's attitude... what a positive young man he is," Holtz said. "I told him that I wanted him to come speak to our football team. Changing attitude was what that year was all about for our football team. We have so many reasons to be negative in this world today and when you look at a young man like Drew Steele it is very motivational."

As the coach recalls it, Drew's acceptance of the coach's invitation wasn't a slam dunk.

"When I asked Drew if he would come speak to our football team, he said he would have to check his work schedule at Chic Filet (laughs), but he did come and he was terrific," said Holtz, adding that "Drew Steele has been great for this program."

Holtz was so impressed with the attitude change Drew seemed to offer the entire team that he gave him a job. During the season, Drew worked in the equipment room handling laundry and putting out uniforms. He was there on the sideline for every ECU game as a reminder to the players that positive attitude was the key to their turning the program around.

Now, Holtz wants to pay Drew back for the inspiration. This golf event rivals any Greenville has seen. Holtz has personally gotten involved in an effort to raise a record amount of cash for Drew and his friends in Pitt County's special populations.

On June 4th and 5th, (2006) the first annual Drew Steele-Skip Holtz Golf Classic was christened in Greenville. DSM Pharmaceuticals, the largest private employer in Pitt County, stepped up as the platinum sponsor of the event. Radio and television commercials aired on Talk 1070 and Cox Communications with details of what promised to be a huge fund-raiser in which every penny raised will stay in Pitt County.

The event is a two-day affair complete with a star-studded dinner on Sunday evening and golf the following morning. Sponsorships and golf foursomes are limited.

"Drew has meant so much to me personally and to our football team," said Holtz. "This is going to be a wonderful event honoring a wonderful young man and we're going to raise a lot of money for Drew and his friends.î

It is indeed something very special for Greenville and the community's special populations.