Golf

Legends line up to tee off for charity

By MARC TOPKIN
Published January 25, 2005

TAMPA - They gathered to play golf Monday morning, but they could have put on some pretty good exhibitions in football, baseball, basketball and hockey, too.

Some of the biggest stars from the four major sports came out to the Avila Golf & Country Club for the second Derek Jeter Celebrity Golf Classic and, despite the near-freezing temperatures, said they couldn't have been happier to be there.

"We know why we're here," seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens said. "It's not only Derek Jeter, but what he supports. He has his name and his heart behind his foundation, and he helps so many."

Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation works to create programs for youngsters to "achieve academic excellence, develop leadership skills and remain drug and alcohol free." Having raised money for programs in his hometown of Kalamazoo, Mich., and in New York, Jeter started the golf tournament in Tampa to branch out to his offseason home, and the foundation has contributed more than $400,000 to area programs.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Phoenix House, Hillsborough Education Foundation and St. Peter Claver School.

Among those who responded to personal calls from the Yankees shortstop were NBA greats Michael Jordan and Charles Oakley, NHL greats Wayne Gretzky and Brett Hull, NFL greats Derrick Brooks and Lawrence Taylor and MLB greats Reggie Jackson, Gary Sheffield and Clemens.

"We've got Hall of Famers from every sport it seems like," Jeter said. "This is above and beyond what we even thought."

[Last modified January 25, 2005, 01:20:40]