ST. AUGUSTINE – The Flagler College Department of Athletics hosted the 11^th annual Crimson & Gold Banquet on Nov. 21 followed by the President's Golf Classic on Nov. 22.

Tow-time Team USA gymnastics captain and medalist Kathy Johnson Clarke served as the keynote speaker for the Crimson & Gold Banquet, held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Oceanfront Resort. Over 100 golfers took to the links at the King & Bear course at the World Golf Village the following day for the President's Golf Classic.

In total, the events raised over $155,000 to support the Flagler Athletics general scholarship fund.

"Thank you to Kathy Johnson Clarke for telling us her inspirational story," said Joey Wiles, Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Operations. "And a special thank you to everyone who attended and raised funds for Flagler Athletics."

Johnson Clarke earned her position as the U.S. team captain for the 1980 Olympics after multiple impressive performances at the American Cup, NHK Cup, and the World Championship. Due to the boycott of the Olympics that year, she was unable to participate in Moscow. Her determination led Johnson Clarke to be selected as the team captain again for the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. As the oldest member of the team at 24, she helped her team win the all-around silver medal and earned a bronze medal on the beam. She became one of the first American women to podium at both the Olympics and the World Championship.
Shortly after retiring from the sport, Johnson Clarke transitioned to television, where she commentated for ESPN, ABC, and the SEC Network. In addition to her television career, she started several initiatives to improve the conditions of gymnastics, including support for athletes' mental health. Johnson-Clarke is now retired in Orlando, where she has two children and is married to actor Brian Patrick Clarke.

Thirty-one foursomes participated in the President's Golf Classic on a crisp, clear Friday morning at the King & Bear. This year's winner of the coveted Abare Cup was the team of Alan Bratic, Patrick Lamb, Andrew Birchall, and Alex Bennent. The longest drive was by Brandon Parsons and Brooke Eason. Closest to the pin was Alex Bennett. This latest iteration of the President's Golf Classic solicited $80,000 in sponsorship.

The Department of Athletics would like to thank Flagler College, the countless people it took to put together and run the Crimson & Gold Banquet, as well as everyone at the King & Bear for another great President's Golf Classic.

Crimson & Gold sponsors: Shippensburg Pump Company (banquet); Eye Center of St. Augustine (table); BSN (table); Palm Coast Gymnastics (table); Academy Bus (table); Rick Giroux (silen auction); Brian Marvin (table); and Teresa Radzinski (table).
President's Golf Classic sponsors (sponsorship level): W.W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. (title); Ameris Bank (presenting); North Star (cart); the St. Augustine Alligator Farm (cart); Sniffen & Spellman, P.A. (cart); Florida Power & Light (breakfast); Axiom Resources (lunch); Hyundai of St. Augustine (contest); Massey Services, Inc. (gold); Burkhardt family (gold); SouthState Bank (gold); Thompson Baker Agency, Inc. (gold); Chick-fil-A (gold); BSN Sports (gold); Clukey and Tebault (gold); Armin Jabs (gold); Holmes & Brakel Business Interiors (gold); Mowrey Law (gold); The Saints Club (gold); and, Craig Dewhurst of State Farm (in kind). 

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