Annual Golf Classic for Trojan Baseball
There will be a foursome of prizefighters hitting the links this Monday, July 8 at the Trojan Baseball Alumni Association’s (TBAA) 4th Annual Golf Classic benefiting USC Baseball.
Here’s my “Chatter Box” special report on the athletes attending this tournament fundraiser with baseball players, boxers and golfers all joining forces for this annual event.
Olympic boxers Shawn Estrada and Javier Molina will be attending along with pro fighter Charles Huerta and former pro/current boxing manager Arnulfo Bravo at the golf outing to be held at the famed Angeles National Golf Club in Sunland. Team Bravo says they are honored to be playing golf alongside University of Southern California’s baseball stars, former MLB players and alumni boosters.
The four-man group of fighters will take off their boxing gloves and pick up the clubs, hoping to be a “KO” team on the greens. The Olympians are now current pros making their way up the ranks, eyeing championship bouts in the future. Super middleweight Shawn Estrada (15-0, 13 KOs), welterweight Javier Molina (14-1, 6 KOs) and super bantamweight Charles Huerta (18-3, 11 KOs) are all managed by Arnulfo Bravo, an ex-pugilist who knows the game. Goossen Tutor punchers Shawn and Javier represented Team USA in the 2008 Summer Olympics taking place in Beijing; Javier’s twin brother Oscar fought for Mexico in the 2012 Olympics and their older sibling Carlos Molina is also a pro fighter. And Charles Huerta just fought on June 1, scoring a first-round knockout.
Bravo’s team has been building wins as pros and will now test their skills as golfers! The hometown heroes hope they pack a punch while teeing off. They are really looking forward to this prestigious golf event with Trojan Nation. In past events, baseball heroes Frank Robinson, Fred Lynn, Bret Boone, Ron Fairly and others have participated in this USC gathering.
I caught up with Don Buford Sr., 2013 TBAA Golf Classic Chairman, to hear all about this upcoming tournament. Don is a legend in the sports world. The former White Sox and Orioles switch hitter is also an All Star and a World Series champion. In the 1950s, he not only played baseball for USC but he was also the running back for the ’57-’58 gridiron team.
At 76 years young, Buford remains passionate about USC sports. He is also the President of the Trojan Baseball Alumni Association and he and the golf committee work tirelessly to put on a great day for all the participants.
“A lot of the former players will be attending,” Don tells me during our phone conversation. “It will be a great, fun day; we want everyone to have a good time!” The golfers include Kenny Landreaux, Don’s son and fellow former Major Leaguer Damon Buford, SoCal Jewish Sports Hall of Famer Vic Lapiner (a former USC baseball player and Cleveland Indians) and many more.
The bash will include a day of golf and an awards dinner. Buford mentioned that proceeds from this fundraising event will go in part towards the free baseball clinic for kids that is held on the Dedeaux Field at USC.
Don is looking forward to talking boxing with the fighters who will be appearing for the very first time as special guests at Monday’s tournament.
Buford (ranked #24 on “The 40 Greatest Orioles of All-Time” list) was a versatile athlete in his heyday playing both football and baseball at SC. So with his football skills and being adept at second base, third base and left field, I asked the baseball vet if he ever tried boxing?
“No…Indeed, no! I might like hitting people but I don’t want to get hit,” he chuckled. “But it will be nice to talk to the boxers and hear what their training is like!”
And navigating this Nicklaus Designed-course in the San Fernando Valley will be a fearsome foursome of boxers. Also joining Team Bravo in support will be boxing coach and sculptor Steve Harpst (California Boxing Hall of Fame Inductee).
Fight manager Arnulfo Bravo is a former pro featherweight with a penchant for playing golf. He is an avid golfer with a low handicap (+4). While his team of sluggers spend most of their time training in a boxing gym, this day with the USC Trojans will be an opportunity to sharpen their golf game.
The Olympians and pro fighters are all looking forward to Monday’s shotgun start. They enjoy being part of community events and donating their time to worthwhile causes like this TBAA organization. Bravo is proud of their efforts both in and out of the ring. “I think they are future champions,” he tells me, “and it’s an honor to work with them!”
Trojan Nation will be in full force on the fairways at the beautiful Angeles National course.
As elite athletes, there is no doubt in my mind that the baseball players, fighters and scratch golfers will all be competing to win. But there will also be an air of camaraderie while they make new contacts during the day.
TBAA President Don Buford echoes this sentiment. “The best thing about this golf tournament is meeting new friends,” he says. “We get to play golf while getting to meet new people too!”
For more info about the tournament: trojanbaseballalumni.com
Please note: Those who’d like to join the festivities (without golfing) can purchase tickets to the Social Hour, Dinner and Awards for 50.00
Photo by Michele Chong