SPRINGFIELD, La. – Driving from LSU toward Carter Plantation to visit the Shaquille O’Neal-Coach Johnny Jones golf event Friday for flood relief on a sun-cloud mid-morning had me excited to see the big man and to discuss lots going on in his life including the recent Basketball Hall of Fame Induction.
But I’ll be honest, I was a little taken aback by the sights I saw when I entered the town of Springfield and the homes 200 yards or less from the golf course parking lot.
You see it at home in BR, you know what happened in many areas close by that you drive every day. But an hour away it looks like the unfortunately sight that everyone is seeing in Baton Rouge and the area – debris piles as high as the sky and unfortunately for sale signs as well.
If that doesn’t give a sobering reality of why this year’s tournament and its proceeds as decided by the icon and the coach were dedicated to flood relief.
Everyone seemed to be in agreement that it was the right thing to do and this annual September golf event took on new meaning on a layout that because of good course building was able to withstand many of the issues.
It was great to see a star-studded group of players from “Voice of the Tigers” Chris Blair to Gordy Rush of Guaranty, Garrett Temple of the Sacramento Kings, Marcus Thornton of the Wizards, former football star Justin Vincent and pro golfers David Toms and Smylie Kaufman. And that just names a few. But also what makes events like this work are average golfers like you and me (well, maybe not me).
But average golfers who enjoy getting a few friends and playing a tournament and in this case, being LSU fans and getting to hang out with a group of celebrities, including Shaq, is a drawing card. To have the cause be flood relief and this sold-out event was a no-brainer.
“We’ve always had good response for this tournament,” O’Neal said when with the media between rounds of the event. “Everyone likes to play golf … People have always come out and supported us. This year for the flood relief.”
O’Neal got things rolling on Thursday morning when a large 18-wheeler delivered supplies from Feed the Children for a hard-hit area off Polk Street in the area of Pastor Mike Mallet’s Greater Beulah Church. The basketball team helped unload the truck in the morning and that afternoon O’Neal was on hand as the boxes were handed out to individuals.
“We are going to continue to raise money and help these people out,” O’Neal said. Then he looked in the cameras and asked “the people who are supposed to do what they are supposed to do – do what you are supposed to do. I’ve been here two days and knocked a lot of stuff out. You guys have more power and capability that I have. Step up your game.”
Hard to rebut a 7-1 type guy when he makes a pretty strong point, isn’t it? “You guys are going to make me run for Governor of Louisiana!”
But again, his small diversion of a lecture is what Shaq is all about and his love of Louisiana.
“Listen, the Shaqman was created here,” he said. “It’s because coming out at the games and the students wearing ‘Shaq Pack’ shirts and believing in me. You have to believe in yourself. I always tell people about my first visit. When I went to that first football game I was sold … I’m coming here … That’s why I bought a house in Lafayette.”
“We are really pleased with the support,” said Coach Jones of the event. “We have the chance to impact a lot of people. We’ve had a great day and we are really excited about it. Driving out to the course today and you see the houses that were affected because you see the debris out there near the street. Those people are going through a lot and that is one of the things this tournament is designed for to try to help and benefit people and that’s really important for us. It still hurts your heart to see the devastation.”
Now the thing to remember was there was golf played on this day and looking at the scores in the 50s from the opening round, there was plenty of good scrambling going on. But we found out who played the best apparently in the morning wave.
“Yea, me,” laughs Shaq. “I’m the best golfer in the world.”
I think that’s a good place to leave it. Maybe Saturday night when Shaquille O’Neal makes his annual first SEC game appearance on the field, give him and Coach Jones a little louder cheer. They deserve it and so do the many volunteers who made this year’s Shaq-Coach Johnny Jones golf event special and so important for it to be the success we all hoped it could be.