By: Rowan Kavner
RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. - The Clippers traded out the hardwood for grass and the outdoors Tuesday during the Los Angeles Clippers Foundation's annual Charity Golf Classic at Trump National Golf Club.
Head coach Doc Rivers was among those playing a round alongside season ticket holders, sponsors and guests. The players joined later in the night for the dinner reception and silent auction, with proceeds from the event benefitting the Los Angeles Clippers Foundation and Special Olympics Southern California.
The golfing began with a shotgun start at 11 a.m., followed by an awards dinner hosted by broadcaster Ralph Lawler beginning at 4:30 p.m. Clippers coaches and all the players took part in the event in Rancho Palos Verdes, as did some former players, including Olden Polynice and Lamond Murray.
It was an experience both longtime Clippers players and those who had never before taken part in the event enjoyed.
"This location is so awesome," said Glen Davis. "I was on my way up here and I was just like, 'Where am I going?' I looked to my right and it was, boom, nothing but water. I'm like, 'OK.' This is an awesome event and I'm just glad to be a part of it."
The Los Angeles Clippers Foundation is in place to foster and support community outreach programs and activities with positive educational, civic, environmental and humanitarian values that benefit and enhance the quality of life, primarily for children in reader Los Angeles.
The golf event allows those who give back to the team, including long-time season-ticket holders such as John Griffo, to meet and greet the players and coaches they watch and support throughout the year. Griffo, who complimented the condition of the course and the beautiful weather, said it's an event he looks forward to every year.
"It's great, and the Clippers Foundation does such a great job putting it on," Griffo said. "We're glad to be a part of it. I've been doing it for 19 years coming to this event, and it gets better year after year."