They are young, smart and talented and they are leaving Long Island in droves. In order to keep post-graduate students in town, Long Island Business News, in coordination with Hofstra University, is holding its first annual Golf Outing on Monday, Aug. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Garden City Country Club. Proceeds from this outing will go toward the Long Island Business News Hofstra Scholarship Fund, in which a masters-level student will receive a financial award toward tuition. The goal is to keep the best and brightest college graduates in a local educational institution like Hofstra in the hopes that after graduation, they remain in the Long Island workforce.

"Losing our best and brightest young people through brain drain is a significant problem for Long Island, not only in terms of work force development today but in developing the future leaders of our business, government and not-for-profit institutions," said John L. Kominicki, publisher of Long Island Business News. "We know Long Island is an expensive place, but it's also a phenomenal place to live and work and grow. Helping young people continue their education is one small way to help."

The golf outing will include 18 rounds of golf and a cart on the exclusive grounds, brunch, on-course lunch and an elegant cocktail reception with a surf and turf buffet dinner. There will be raffles, a silent auction and hole-in-one prizes.

The committee consists of business and professional people throughout Long Island including: Hilary JM Topper, HJMT Communications, LLC.; Marlene McDonnell of Long Island Business News; Melissa Connolly of Hofstra University; Millie Amsterdam of MAF Mechanical Service; Andrew Lackmann of Lackmann Culinary Services; John Bauer of Grotta, Glassman & Hoffman, PA; Dianne Baumert-Moyik of Astoria Federal Savings; Joseph Benty of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, PC; Chris Giamo of Commerce Bank; John Glosak of LI Golfer Magazine; Frank Kobel of People's Alliance Federal Credit Union; Irwin Krasnow of Area Real Estate Associates, Inc.; Alissa Marti of LI Radio Group; Marilyn Penn-Weinshank of LI Radio Group; Kristie Koppe of HJMT Communications; Elena Perez of Bank of America; Rich Salute of J.H. Cohn LLP; Lisa Sciortino of Kizmet; Andy Sherman of Staffwriters; Stu Shrager of KJOY; Ann Torcivia of Friends Travel; Larry Waldman of KPMG LLP; and Dave Widmer of Barnstable Broadcasting.

Sponsorships are currently available along with tee-signs. For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to purchase a foursome, contact HJMT Communications, LLC at 432-9133.