COOPERSTOWN, NY - Most fans only dream of competing with a professional athlete, much less a Hall of Famer.

But the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum will help the dreams of a few lucky fans come true June 18-19 in Cooperstown with the debut of the Cooperstown Golf Classic, a fundraiser for the Museum and its programs, featuring seven members of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hall of Famers Gary Carter, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Harmon Killebrew, Phil Niekro, Mike Schmidt and Ozzie Smith will each hit the links at the picturesque Leatherstocking Golf Course in Cooperstown on Saturday, June 19 - the day before the annual Hall of Fame Classic at Doubleday Field. Limited to just 28 golfers, participants will have a chance to team with a Hall of Famer and share in the camaraderie with golfers of all skill levels in a scramble format, all part of a festive Father's Day Weekend.

"The Cooperstown Golf Classic is an opportunity for baseball fans to play a round of golf with their baseball heroes," said Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson. "For golf enthusiasts or for someone who just wants to spend the weekend with a Hall of Famer, this is a rare opportunity to talk baseball with the game's best."

The event begins Friday night, June 18, with an exclusive cocktail reception in the Hall of Fame Gallery with the Hall of Fame team captains. On Saturday morning, a private breakfast precedes the tournament, and all golfers will get the chance to golf with a Hall of Fame member. Each golfer also receives a Hall of Fame goodie bag, a golf shirt and a foursome photo. An awards luncheon concludes the event.

Saturday afternoon, participants will experience a behind-the-scenes archival tour, taking you into the heart of the Museum's collections.

Every golfer will also receive two Grandstand seats for the Sunday, June 20, Hall of Fame Classic, two tickets to the Sunday evening Voices of the Game event and a Hall of Fame President's Circle Membership.

For pricing information and to reserve your spot, call 607-547-0310.

Open seven days a week the year round, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day, the Hall of Fame is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. until Memorial Day Weekend. Summer hours extend until Labor Day, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily. Ticket prices are $16.50 for adults (13 and over), $11 for seniors (65 and over) and for those holding current memberships in the VFW, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and AMVets organizations, and $6 for juniors (ages 7-12). Members are always admitted free of charge and there is no charge for children six years of age or younger, active and retired card-carrying military personnel. For more information, visit our Web site at www.baseballhalloffame.org or call 888-HALL-OF-FAME (888-425-5633) or 607-547-7200.