Rowan Kavner
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – An overcast morning turned into a gorgeous day in Newport Beach as Clippers coaches and personalities joined sponsors and guests to take part Monday in the annual Charity Golf Classic.
This year, the Golf Classic moved from Trump National Golf Club to Pelican Hill Golf Club, with proceeds still benefitting the L.A. Clippers Foundation as well as United Friends of the Children.
It was just a day ago head coach Doc Rivers was in Vancouver for a game, but the travel’s never stressful for Rivers when it ends on a beautiful golf course while helping others.
“People work every day,” Rivers said. “I think we can get up and golf, at the end of the day. It’s for a good cause. It’s worth it. All our charities the money goes to, I mean, this is what you should do.”
Rivers said it’s a great experience for everyone, even those who participated who don’t golf often. He said regardless of talent level, everyone loves to be involved with the event.
That said, Rivers is one of the players who enjoys golfing in his spare time. He said he played a lot this summer, and he’s not the only member of the coaching staff who likes to find time to golf.
Assistant coach Mike Woodson took part in the Golf Classic and had played at the course before.
“This will probably be the only chance we get to play once we actually get going,” Woodson said. “For me, it’s kind of nice to be back on the West Coast.
“I’ve always coached on the East Coast, and you go seven, eight, nine months and don’t sniff a golf course. So, it’s kind of nice to be out in the sunshine and all. This is for a great cause and gives us the opportunity to meet some of the sponsors and network a little bit.”
As for whether Rivers or Woodson has the better golf game?
“He plays a little bit more than I do,” Woodson conceded. “He’s a few strokes probably better, but on any given day, anything can happen, as you know in golf. We play it because it’s fun. You get to mingle and get out of the office for a bit and hang out some.”
Prior to the golfing, which began at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start, items were set out which people could bid for, including signed memorabilia and travel packages.
Once the golfing started, those participating on the course had various contests throughout the day, including closest to the pin, longest drive and the Kia Hole in One Contest. Following the golf, the day concluded with the Charity Classic Dinner, which included the entire Clippers roster, coaching staff and Spirit Dance Team.
It wasn’t just Clippers coaches golfing throughout the day, either. Along with radio and television personalities, Clippers alumni also took part in the day, including Lamond Murray and Olden Polynice.
Murray said he’s not much of a golfer, but the experience is more about the social gathering and charitable efforts.
“We come out here, see some old faces, chop it up and have some fun,” said Murray, who was paired with former teammate Darrick Martin. “It’s always been a great event. I always look forward to it.
“It’s also going to benefit a great cause, the Clippers Foundation, which I do a lot of work with. Any time you can have some and benefit the Foundation at the same time, it’s a win-win.”