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McClendon's eagle helps his team win Legends Classic
Last weekend's Carlton Fisk Sports Legends Charity Classic was more than just a golf tournament.
It was an opportunity for the 28 former sports stars to share their memories and talk about their current situations.
"It was awesome to see these legends exchange autographs," said tournament executive director Chuck Such. "Everyone had a great time. And their wives have a good time. Fisk said this is the best tournament we've put on."
Such said the legends donate their time and expenses and don't get paid appearance fees.
As far as the competition was concerned, Lloyd McClendon, former Pittsburgh Pirates manager, stole the show. He can still hit over 300-yard drives.
In 1971, playing for a team from Gary, Ind., McClendon made history in baseball as a pint-sized youngster. He hit five home runs on five swings in the Little League World Series in which he pitched. He was walked the next five times at bat.
He is the Detroit Tigers' hitting coach under manager Jim Leyland and was one of two Tigers who played in the Classic. The other was coach Gene Lamont of Sarasota.
McClendon's team won the Classic, taming The Founders Golf Club layout with an 18-under-par 54 in a highly competitive field of 137.
Monte Clark, former Detroit Lions and 49ers head coach, led his team to a tie for the top spot with a 54 but the championship was determined by the first lowest score in a rundown of the scorecard. McClendon had an eagle that earned his team the crown.
However, Archie Hopkins, a local amateur, upstaged the likes of McClendon, Johnny Bench, John Havlicek and Greg Luzinski with a 350-yard drive, winning the long-drive competition.
Such said this year's event was expected to top last year, when $60,000 was raised for the special needs children of the Florida Center.
Wayne Fontes, the former Detroit Lions football coach and a defensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Bucs, picked the right golf tournament to come up with a lame back. There were 10 doctors and a physical therapist in the tournament. They had him in shape for his tee-off time.
Chip Shots
Sam Broome has been named first assistant golf pro at the The Founders Golf Club, general manager Ian Fetigan announced. Broome, a Class A PGA golfer, reports to head golf professional Bob Irving. ... .
Contact Mark Cardon at 361-4853, by e-mail at mark.cardon@heraldtribune.com, or by fax at 361-4890
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