AMES – The 2012 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open will be held July 24 at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. This annual event benefits the Lauren L. Christian Endowment, which provides financial support for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students and continued swine and pork educational opportunities through Iowa State University.

Christian was an internationally recognized expert in swine genetics and the first director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State. A university faculty member for 33 years, he also was a consultant for private and corporate firms associated with swine production.

The 18-hole best ball tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. and includes lunch at the golf course. Following the tournament, players and others are invited to attend a reception, meal and awards program.

Winners of the Lauren Christian undergraduate and graduate scholarships for 2012 also will be honored during the program.

According to John Mabry, IPIC director and former student of Christian, the event is a way to bring together those who knew and admired Christian.

“Lauren was a great teacher and mentor, and the … Pork Chop Open provides a social occasion for people to remember him and help increase the Lauren Christian endowment fund at Iowa State,” Mabry said.

The cost of the tournament and associated activities will be $85 per person, or $340 per four-person team. Those who want to attend only the reception, dinner and auction may register for $25 per person. The golf registration deadline is July 10 or when the field of 32 teams is reached.

Registration information will be available soon www.ipic.iastate.edu.