Legends Golf Classic rocks Aloha’s Reserve

Pacific University athletics is big winner at event

By Billy Merck And Mallory Goldammer

The Forest Grove News-Times, Jul 30, 2008, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Alison Gene Smith / News-Times

Eagles guitarist Don Felder sets up his putt at the fifth hole of the Pacific University Legends Golf Classic on Monday.

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Golf and rock n’ roll peacefully coexisted at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha July 27 and 28 in an event designed to support Pacific University’s 20-sport athletics program.

The second annual Legends Golf Classic, hosted by Pacific Board of Trustees member and lead KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer, started Sunday with an auction, dinner and concert featuring performances by Thayer, rising country star Crystal Shawanda and Eagles lead guitarist Don Felder.

The good times continued on Monday, and by the time the PGA pro Shaun Micheel’s golf clinic ended, it was clear that the Classic would live up to its name.

Over 30 groups of golfers, music celebrities and professional athletes took to The Reserve’s two courses to compete in the scramble-format tournament. Warrant’s Joey Allen encouraged his group to just “get up and rip it,” and comedian George Lopez kept his foursome relaxed with some good jokes and his in-cart radio.

And the golf was good, too. When Thayer stopped by the clubhouse to do a live radio interview with 95.5 The Game’s (KXGM-FM) Gavin Dawson, his group was 9 under par. But they had a little work to do to catch former Major League pitcher Jaret Wright’s group, which boasted an 11 under par score at the same juncture.

In only its second year, the Legends Golf Classic is growing. This year’s celebrities included NASCAR driver Jeff Bodine, singers Johnny Lee and Ray Kennedy, “Happy Days” television star Donny Most, former major league baseball players Chili Davis and Scott Erickson and former football all-pro Preston Pearson.

The Classic concluded Monday evening with dinner and awards for the participants.

Pacific Director of Athletics Ken Schuman was pleased with the result.

“This is a very unique event,” said Schuman. “I know of no other university that has something like this. This is great for the university and the community.”