Fighters Hit the Golf Course!
Southern California fight promoter Ken Thompson hosted his 10th Annual Tournament of Champions at the Desert Princess Country Club in Cathedral City, near Palm Springs. This highly-anticipated yearly event brings out the big guns on the golf course.
This year’s installment featured two special guests who participated in the outing, meeting fans and signing autographs. Rodolfo “Gato” Gonzalez (80-8-1, 67 KOs) and Daniel “El Travieso” Hernandez (11-1, 6 KOs) put down the boxing gloves and picked up the golf clubs at the tourney held this past weekend. It was a relaxing day in the desert for the hard-hitting boxers who took to the fairway. Here’s an exclusive look at the happenings in Palm Springs.
Host Ken Thompson has had a very busy week. He and General Manager/Matchmaker Alex Camponovo presented their “Locked N’ Loaded” fight card on April 26 in Ontario as well as a Thursday edition of ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” (Mauricio Herrera vs. Ji-Hoon Kim) on Thursday, May 2 at Omega Products International, the night before the golf tournament.
And they’re already prepping for their NEXT live boxing show just around the corner on Friday, May 17 at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario.
But with live boxing on the back burner for just a moment, Team Thompson focused on the sport of golf for the day.
The golfers showcased their “Best Ball” skills on the rolling hills of the Lagos and Cielo courses. There were pit stops at the popular Belgard booth and also a “Hole in One” opportunity to win a brand new car. On Hole #8, anyone who made the drive to the hole would win a Nissan Rogue sponsored by Pedder Nissan.
The weekend warriors also received Thompson Boxing Promotions’ “Tournament of Champions” embroidered caps and Thompson Building Materials custom lip balm. And greeting the teams were ring card girls Lindsi and Ashley outfitted in plaid golf skirts. The duo also helped man the prize raffle with a bounty of top-notch golf and boxing goodies up for grabs.
Prizefighters Rodolfo Gonzalez and Danny Hernandez had a knockout “Team KO” foursome with Omega Sales Manager Steve Taylor and boxing trainer/sculptor Steve Harpst. Rofolfo, known as “El Gato” during his ring time, had golfed many times before and he told me he always enjoys being part of the Thompson tournament.
And it was the first time swinging the clubs for 23-year-old boxer Danny Hernandez. South Gate’s “El Travieso” was a natural on the greens and said he really had fun learning the game of golf.
During the day, the golfers enjoyed the peaceful sights and sounds of the beautiful Doral Desert Princess Resort. Surrounded by palm trees and the wildlife roaming the course, Team KO all mentioned what a relaxing and fun time it was.
Boxing promoter and international businessman Ken Thompson thanked everyone for joining the festivities and celebrating this 10th annual tournament.
After the last ball was putted, it was time for the awards dinner in the nearby clubhouse and banquet room.
Ring announcer Sonny Franco introduced the fighters. “El Travieso” Hernandez is a Thompson boxer who has fought the last two times in Mexico. He has courageously rebounded after a tragic shooting accident suffered in 2010. And his boxing compadre “Gato” Gonzalez has also overcome a lot outside the boxing ring. Franco announced to the crowd that the tough Mexican gladiator first fought as a pro at the tender age of 13. Rodolfo has also battled back against cancer, winning the war against the deadly disease years ago.
The young slugger and the boxing veteran bonded together on the fairway, both having good scores for the day. Danny nabbed “First Place” honors and Rodolfo won “Second Place” in the boxers’ division. With scores ranging from 57 to 75, it was time to announce the team winners.
On Cielo 8, the “Doubletree Hotel” Team scored a 57 and on Lagos 3B, Team “Omega #1” swung for a score of 57 for this year’s braggin’ rights. The winners received glass trophies for their championship efforts.
Also at the dinner were introductions of WBC Supervisor Joe Noriega and the Grand Prize winner Pedder Nissan’s Richard Perry (“Cops 4 Kids & Communities”). Then it was time for the big prize raffle with the lucky winners also getting their photo snapped with the tartan-clad Lindsi and Ashley. With Alex Camponovo and Jeanette Gonzales showcasing the array of prizes, the winners all came to the stage to accept their prize, capping off a great golf tournament in Cat City.
Many participants told me they look forward to this event every year, mentioning it is always a first-class affair put on by Ken Thompson and the whole Team Thompson crew.
“I had so much fun golfing and being around my friends,” a smiling Rodolfo Gonzalez told me at the conclusion of the golf dinner. “Ken Thompson is great. I always tell him ‘I wish I had known you before’…I would’ve been a champion if he had been in my corner!”
“El Gato” was a multiple title challenger during his boxing years, fighting for WBC and WBA championship belts. He remains loyal to the fight game and is often seen ringside at local fights, including Thompson Boxing cards.
The pugilist plans on being at Ken’s next fight night on May 17. And he tells me he will be bringing something special to present to Thompson. “I want to give a poster to Kenny,” Rodolfo explains. “He’s done so much for boxing so I’d like to give him a poster of one of the biggest cards that took place in California. On that night, I fought Ruben Navarro–and on the undercard were Roberto Duran, Danny “Little Red” Lopez and Chango Carmona!”
Now the Mexico City fighter will be giving this prized possession to the Southern California fight promoter.
“I know how much Ken loves boxing,” Gonzalez adds, as the golf bash came to a close, “so I know the poster will be in good hands.”
As the fighters met with the golfers for more photo opportunities and autographs, the 10th Annual Tournament of Champions was in the books.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Photos by Michele Chong
