SIXTH ANNUAL DRIVE FORE LITERACY WITH OSCAR: Hole-in-one for reading

Special to ViewGolfers take to the green at Silverstone Golf Club, 8600 Cupp Drive, during the 2006 Drive Fore Literacy With Oscar tournament. The course will host the sixth annual event April 11, beginning at 6:30 a.m. Advertisement

On April 11, local golfers will be able to put their skills to the test at Silverstone Golf Club, 8600 Cupp Drive in Las Vegas. But, this will be no ordinary golf tournament.

The sixth annual Drive Fore Literacy With Oscar will take place on that day, and golfers are invited to join in for a good cause. Not only will participants get to play one of Las Vegas' most challenging courses, but they also will have the opportunity to sit down to lunch with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. The event serves as a fundraiser for the Newspapers in Education program.

According to statistics released by the National Coalition For Literacy, 93 million adults have literacy skills at the basic or below-basic level.

Community programs such as NIE were created to help fight the problem at an early age.

The concept of NIE dates back to 1795, when a newspaper in Portland, Maine, wrote an editorial noting how the newspaper could be used in schools to help educate children.

The program gained steam in the 1930s and 1940s, when a handful of newspapers started distributing papers to schools. The concept was that the newspaper would become a living textbook.

Locally, the program started in the mid-1970s, when the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun began handing out newspapers to area schools.

Today, the Las Vegas program has gained national status by winning awards for its locally developed and locally significant content on the desert environment.

In one year alone (2003-04), more than 1.5 million newspapers were distributed in Southern Nevada schools. Today, more than 1,600 educators use the program regularly in their classrooms, and there is a waiting list of local teachers who want to add newspapers to their curriculum.

"This is such a valuable program for the community," Goodman said.

"It is something that I would have loved to have had when I was young. The tournament spreads the word about this program and the benefits that it has for our kids. The tournament is a lot of fun, with some great golf and a really good lunch afterward. I really look forward to going every year."

Susan Knoll, NIE manager, has been preparing for the April tournament since December.

"NIE helps schools and students with literacy, math and other skills," she said. "We have programs available throughout the year to enhance the materials that are in the paper. We literally operate at every level of school, from elementary school right up to high school."

New to the tournament this year will be its presenting sponsor, Dunkin' Donuts.

According to Don DeMichele, president and chief executive officer of Kainos Partners, the group that runs the area franchises, the tournament was a great fit for the company.

"We wanted to do something that would help our community," DeMichele said.

"This tournament is a great opportunity to build exposure as we're new to the area. We're looking forward to establishing ties with the businesses, and we wanted to do something that would have a great impact on the community.

"This tournament is for such a great cause, helping schools right here in Las Vegas. We are proud to be a part of it."

In fact, Dunkin' Donuts has committed to the tournament for the next three years.

By the time the tournament rolls around, DeMichele said, the company will have nine to 10 stores open valleywide.

Several other sponsors are pledging their support to the tournament, and Goodman thinks that is an important component to the event's success.

"We're looking forward to having Dunkin' Donuts be a part of the tournament," Goodman said.

"There are a lot of sponsors that get involved every year, and I think that's great. They understand that by spending a little now, they're really investing in the community's health."

Goodman continued by saying that area residents are always willing to help out worthy causes. And, Goodman said, he expects a great turnout for this year's tournament.

"I think the people realize how important this cause is. They realize that the children really are our future and that we need to provide them all the tools that they need to succeed," he said.

The tournament has grown every year since its inception in 2003, and Knoll said she expects a record turnout this year.

Foursomes, as well as single golfers of all skill levels, are welcome to come out and enjoy the camaraderie.

"We'd like to have 250 golfers and fill up the course," she said.

"This is such a great opportunity for new businesses to get their name out there and for the older ones to strengthen their ties to the community."