Weather Research Centertm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 1997

HOUSTON - The weathermen know when to hold a golf tournament! In one of the few days in the last several weeks without rain, the meteorologists from Weather Research Center hosted the Second Annual Weatherman's Classic to benefit the Weather Museum and Education Center. The tournament was held at Willowisp Country Club and the weather could not have been better!

The golf tournament is a means to raise funds to develop a weather museum in the Houston area. The museum will be a place for children and persons of all ages to come and learn about the weather and weather safety. The museum is planning to have hands- on weather exhibits featuring tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and historical weather equipment.

Last year's tournament proceeds were used to purchase the building that will house the museum. This year's proceeds will be used to help purchase the elevator to make the museum accessible by everyone. To remain on schedule and open the museum in 1998, the Center is hoping for continued successful fund raising drives. The current fund raising effort is a founding membership drive. If you would like to become a member, please call the center 713-529-3076.

The Center currently carries out some of the activities that will eventually move over to the museum such as providing tours of the weather forecast operations center, as well as hosting weather day camps for students ages 8-14.

Here are the results of the Second Annual Weatherman's Classic:

1st Place - the team from Specialty Retailers Inc. - Steve Lovell, Jim Marcum, Ernie Cruse and Carl Tooker

2nd Place - Dr. Neil Frank's team with Ron Frank, Myles Taylor and Jack Pigeon

Closest to the Pin: Bill Read

Putting Contest: Ron Frank

Best Weathercaster in Houston as determined on the Golf Course:

Dr. Neil Frank

A special thanks goes to all of the volunteers and sponsors which made the tournament a great success which in turn will help get the Weather Museum open soon. Some of our sponsors included: R. H. Tamlyn & Sons, Houston Chronicle ThisWeek, Stewart & Stevenson, Teleport Communications Group, and Hoechst Celanese.

The volunteers which made this occasion great fun were: Lane D. Freeman, Martha and Meredith Freeman, Melissa Freeman, Mike and Kim Arellano, Jackie, Jill and Dave Hasling, Meghan Murphree, Phil Free, John Gully, Wayne Ingram, Drew Orkin, Mon Nugyen, Mark Miles and Denise Ruth.