Yorktown Heights, NY - New York Giants quarterback and Super Bowl XLVI champion Eli Manning will reprise his role as spokesperson for Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s 35th Annual Golf Classic, held on Sunday, June 10 and Monday, June 11.

Manning will join the country’s best blind golfers for the nonprofit’s two-day event at Mount Kisco Country Club in Mount Kisco, NY and Fairview Country Club in Greenwich, CT – two of the region’s favorite and most challenging courses. Guiding Eyes for the Blind’s annual Golf Classic is a perennial favorite of businesses, the public, and media because it features a unique combination of intrepid athleticism and a renowned celebrity quarterback.

The Golf Classic was founded by PGA legend Ken Venturi in 1977 and is Guiding Eyes’ largest annual fundraiser. To date it has raised over $7 million for the organization, which provides superbly bred Guiding Eyes dogs, professional training, and follow-up support services to visually impaired and blind individuals at no cost to them; Guiding Eyes is fully dependent upon contributions to fulfill its mission.   Manning shares, "Since I’ve been a part of this, I've gotten to learn so much about how these dogs affect lives. Every year, I listen to people tell their story about how they’re able to accomplish so much more, and to fulfill so many different talents in their lives because of having guide dogs. That’s been very rewarding for me." The star football player became involved with Guiding Eyes through family friend Patrick Browne Jr., a famed blind golfer and Golf Classic champion.

Sponsorships for the 35th Annual Golf Classic are now being accepted at the Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels. Additional support opportunities are also available including bronze foursomes, individual play, hole sponsorship, and journal advertising.

“We are fortunate to have the perfect combination of star power and compelling mission to propel our Golf Classic into what we are sure will be a sold-out event,” said Sue Dishart, Vice President of Marketing and Development, Guiding Eyes for the Blind.  “You can't put a price tag on Eli Manning's willingness to host and attend the Classic.  We are also excited that so many sponsors have jumped on board at this early date. They tell us that this is the one charity golf event that leaves lasting memories – of meeting Eli Manning on the courses, of being challenged by our champion blind golfers, and of seeing our remarkable Guiding Eyes dogs and puppies in action.”

On Sunday, June 10, Guiding Eyes presents the Corcoran Cup, the “Masters” of blind golf. Over a dozen top United States Blind Golfers Association players will compete for the coveted award. Then, on the following Monday, the sponsor-support outing takes place, and the blind golfers challenge sponsors to wear blind-folds and take a shot at hitting the ball – so that they experience golf as a visually impaired person. At last year’s event, Manning took the challenge and sank his putt. When asked to compare football to golfing blindfolded, Manning admitted, “a full round (of blind golfing) would be very frustrating. I’m just happy to be here to support the cause.”

To find out more about sponsorship opportunities, or for general golf information, please contact Michelle Brier, Events and Marketing Manager, at 914.243.2208 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Guiding Eyes for the Blind is located at 611 Granite Springs Road in Yorktown Heights, NY. For more information, please call 914.243.2208 or visit www.guidingeyes.org.

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