Julius Erving Celebrity Golf Classic A Smashing Success

Aug. 30, 2004

Photo Gallery The sun was shining and smiles were plentiful as the First Annual Julius Erving Celebrity Golf Classic was a huge success on Monday afternoon at The Orchards Golf Course. Close to 100 participants were joined by celebrities including Erving, Hall of Famers Bill Russell, Moses Malone and 2004 Inductee Clyde Drexler for a great day of golf and fun. The event was held to benefit the Jack Leaman Legacy Fund, which provides scholarships to UMass student-athletes. "In the spirit of Coach Leaman, we have had a perfect day," said Erving, who spoke passionately about hosting his first golf outing. "Everybody had a great time and we all had fun under the guise of doing something for a great cause, the Leaman Legacy Fund. I am honored and priviledged to have my name identified with this tournament." The day featured many current and former UMass personalities including current coaches Steve Lappas, Don 'Toot' Cahoon and Marnie Dacko along with former basketball players Tony Barbee, Derek Kellogg and Tyrone Weeks and hockey star Thomas Pock.

Julius Erving and friends at the First Annual Julius Erving Celebrity Golf Classic.

On the golf side, Barbee's foursome including Glen Allan, Sandy Allan and Doug Dugreniar, finished in first place with a 63. Joe Mantegna took home the prize for closest to the pin on the seventh hole, coming within three inches. The longest drive award was captured by Barbee on the men's side and Shawn Durocher on the women's side. Rita Leaman, widow of Jack, was touched by the event and wrapped up the ceremny with the following, "I want to thank everybody for being here and supporting the event. Certainly Julius was the driving force behind it along with Tim Kenney from the athletic department. "It was a wonderful game and a great time. Jack would have loved it. The great support made this successful and I am very grateful!"

University of Massachusets Athletics

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