The 24th Annual Legends Invitational A Fairway For A Cause
(http://www.legendsinvitational.com )began November 14th and included three days of play at the spectacular Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill golf courses. Each of the courses was, as always, picture perfect and the staff/service was excellent. The highlight of this year’s tournament was a Navy Seal’s HALO parachute demonstration with an on-the-course landing.
Fred Lew “Curly” Morrison, former running back in the 1950’s for the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns, was the man responsible for the creation of The Invitational. He envisioned it as a way for professional athletes and business leaders to raise funds to support worthy local organizations/causes. All of the former athletes view their participation in the tournament as a way of giving back…and simply because it is the right thing to do.
For the first twenty three years, the funds raised from corporate donations went towards the Boys and Girls Clubs of California. This year, under the new ownership of John Lee (and ably-assisted by Curly’s daughter, Rebecca Morrison), the beneficiary was changed to The National Navy UDT SEAL Museum (http://ww.NavySEALMuseum.org based in Fort Pierce, Florida. It is the only national museum in the state of Florida and is the official national museum of the U.S. Navy SEALs their predecessors.
The executive director of the museum, Richard (Rick) Kaiser, BMCM SEAL (Ret.) spoke at Friday’s welcome dinner. He recalled what it was like while serving…the hardship, the comradery and the sacrifice both while in country and for the families back home who often knew very little about where their husbands, fathers and son were and what dangers they faced. The museum strives to make it a place where the public may acknowledge the service of these brave men and women. And for some, it represents a place where the families of those who gave their lives for country may remember and celebrate their loved one(s).
Admiral Harward also spoke to the gathering and expressed his gratitude for the efforts made on behalf of the Navy SEAL Museum.
At the core of this endeavor are the corporate sponsorships, individual donations and sponsors (IZOD, Titanium Industries, Jack Daniels). Together they provide the funding for the beneficiaries. Businesses appreciate the unique surroundings and superb facilities, which facilitate easy networking with their invitees. For the non-golfing spouses and companions, the Monterey and Carmel areas provide a wealth of activities including spas, restaurants and shopping.
Each celebrity captain (NFL or other sports legend) heads a five-person team of attendees for the golfing event. During the event’s three nights of gourmet dining, a selected captain is honored for his/her outstanding career and lifetime achievement.
Sunday’s dinner gala included a silent auction. Wayne Kostroski (founder of the Taste of the NFL) was honored for his philanthropy work, which has raised over $25,000,000.00 for hunger-related charities, and have, since its inception 24 years ago, fed over one hundred million people.
Image and Style Magazine was very pleased to have been selected to cover the full four days and to personally meet many of the participants. We had a wonderful time and hope to be invited back next year.
The 24th Annual Legends Invitational Winners: Team Anderson (Celebrity captain Dick Anderson)
Noted individuals/celebrity captains included:
HALL OF FAME CAPTAINS:
MARCUS ALLEN – Raiders – Chiefs – RB
NICK BUONICONTI – Patriots – Dolphins – LB
ERIC DICKERSON – LA Rams – Indianapolis Colts – RB
CHRIS DOLEMAN – Vikings – 49ers – Falcons – DE
MIKE HAYNES – Patriots – Raiders – DB
TED HENDRICKS – Colts – Packers – Raiders – LB
PAUL KRAUSE – Redskins – Vikings – DB
RANDALL McDANIEL – Vikings – Tampa Bay – OG
ANTHONY MUNOZ – Bengals – OT
JAN STENERUD – Chiefs – Packers – Vikings – K
PAUL WARFIELD – Browns – Dolphins – WR
NFL CAPTAINS:
DICK ANDERSON – Dolphins – DB
TIM BROWN – Raiders – Buccaneers – WR
JAMES BURT – Giants – 49ers – OL
JOE COOPER – Oilers -– Giants – PK
CLAUDE CRABB – Redskins – Eagles – LA Rams – DB
BRUCE GOSSETT – LA Rams – 49ers – K
KENNY GREENE – Cardinals – Chargers – DB
JIM HART – Cardinals – Redskins – QB
BRIAN KELLEY – Giants – LB
FRED “CURLY” MORRISON – Bears – Browns – RB – P
TOM VIGORITO – Dolphins – RB – WR
SPORTS GREATS CAPTAINS
JR CELSKI – Olympic Gold Medalist – Speed Skating
DAN JANSEN – Olympic Gold Medalist – Speed Skating
KAREN PALACIOS-JANSEN ¬– LPGA
For more information about this worthy cause, and to participate in next year’s Legends Invitational please visit:
http://www.legendsinvitational.com
http://www.navysealmuseum.org
Photo credits: http://www.richardgreenphotography.com
http://imagesbygracie.smugmug.com/Sports/Golf/Legends-Invitational-2014/