Paula Creamer (Beauty) vs. Gary McCord (Beast) at Forsgate

If, like me, you're old enough to remember when top female tennis player Billie Jean King defeated the motormouth chauvinist Bobby Riggs in the famous “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973, you won't want to miss  the big event coming to Forsgate Country Club in Monroe, NJ. Now, nearly 40 years later, another fun but epic battle looms between LPGA Star Paula Creamer and CBS Sports Commentator Gary McCord  on Oct. 6-7, 2012 in a match to raise money for Make-A-Wish New Jersey and other local charities supported by the Forsgate Foundation.

photo courtesy of Forsgate

As if the match itself weren't reason enough to attend, irreverent Golf Channel star David Feherty will provide live color and analysis of the head-to-head stroke play match for a purse of $10,000. Creamer and McCord will be hitting from the same tees on the renowned Banks Course at Forsgate.

“When I heard I was playing Paula, I thought of advice my dear mom gave me when I was a kid,” McCord said. "She told me to always play nice especially with girls….I never listened to mom. Beating Paula will be fun and another win in my already memorable career.” Much like the hustler Riggs, McCord is known as much for his bluster as for his play, although he boasts a long professional golf career on both the PGA and Champions Tours. But, while he may have faced the likes of “The Golden Bear” and “The Shark,” McCord has never teed off against “The Pink Panther.”

photo courtesy of Forsgate

“I’m playing against Gary McCord? You mean the CBS golf commentator? I didn’t even realize he played golf!”  Creamer said with more than a bit of sarcasm. Creamer, an 11-time professional tour winner and 2010 U.S. Women’s Open Champion, is currently ranked No. 13 in the world.

As for his opinion, Feherty, host of The Golf Channel’s highly rated show of the same name, put it bluntly: “Battle of the Sexes? It’s more like Beauty versus the Beast. My money is with Paula…there was a reason McCord was 0 for 422 in PGA Tour Tournament wins. Plus, I love pink.”

The Forsgate “Battle of the Sexes” features two days of golf and entertainment and a myriad of opportunities for involvement. The event begins on Saturday evening, Oct. 6, with a cocktail reception and live and silent auction featuring unique sports memorabilia, travel packages and “dream” days. The energy in the room will reach a fever pitch as LPGA superstar Creamer will come face-to-face for the first time with the devilishly-mustached McCord.

photo courtesy of Forsgate

On Sunday, Oct. 7, registrants will enjoy a morning 18-hole golf tournament that includes photo opportunities with the stars. Forsgate Country Club will open to the public at 2 p.m. when Feherty will host a skills demonstration with Creamer and McCord. At 3 p.m., the action moves to the first tee of the celebrated Banks Course for the opening shots of the “Battle of the Sexes.”

Golf Tournament Participant packages (both individual and foursome) are available and include admission into all of “The Battle of the Sexes” activities. Raffle Tickets for the chance to win a new 2012 Mercedes Benz C-250 are $12.50 each or 10 for $100. Individual Gallery Tickets for the skills demonstration and “The Battle” are $10 each or $25 for individual clubhouse passes. For more information on registration, to buy raffle or gallery tickets, call (732) 656-8911, visit www.forsgatecc.com or www.forsgatefoundation.org.

So…whose team are you on? Pick a side and join in the conversation on the Forsgate Foundation Facebook page and on Twitter. The question of whether #girlsgolfbetter or #boysgolfbetter will be answered on Oct. 6-7, 2012, at the #ForsgateBattleOfTheSexes.

Among many other books, Dave Donelson is the author of Weird Golf: 18 tales of fantastic, horrific, scientifically impossible, and morally reprehensible golf