Byron Scott’s foursome took home first prize at last year’s Frank Nelson Fund Celebrity Golf Classic. Photo by Beth Coller/AFTRA
Scott had a tough time last year as the Cleveland Cavaliers head coach. The lockout, which he believes will go through December, should give him time to work on his golf game. Photo by Jeff Lewis
Join Byron Scott at the 2nd Annual Frank Nelson Fund Celebrity Golf Classic
By Jason Lewis
Sentinel Sports Editor
[email protected]
Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott feels good to be home. Being away from family can be rough, but so can finding a good golf course in Cleveland.
Scott said that his golf game is okay right now, but he does not get to practice as much as he’d like to when he is away from home. When he is in town he hits up his favorite courses.
“There are a number of courses that I love to play out here,” Scott said. “Trump Nationals is a course that I love. Palos Verdes Country Club is another course that I play at. Riviera. There are not too many golfers who would not love to play there. Those are really the three major ones that I like to play at. I try not to play the same ones, so I try to get around.”
Scott is teeing up at the Mountain Gate Country Club on July 11 for the 2nd Annual Frank Nelson Fund Celebrity Golf Classic. Registered players will get some green time with Scott, and a gift bag, dinner, open bar, and they will attend an awards ceremony.
Last year Scott’s foursome took home the 1st place trophy.
“I know everybody wants to win but we also have to understand that what we’re doing is for a great cause,” Scott said. “I always want to go out there and have a good time with the actors who are there.”
The event will kick off at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast and registration. California Pizza Kitchen will be on hand to provide food, and Miller Light and Coors Light will provide beverages. There will also be a chance to win a 2012 XL Jaguar from Galpin Motors.
The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA). The AFTRA Foundation provides emergency financial aid to AFTRA members. Last year’s golf tournament raised more than $30,000 for the fund.
Scott will be sure to tune up his game a little before Monday’s tournament.
“I like to spend time with my family once I get back in L.A. for the first couple of weeks before I hit the links,” Scott said. “I’m not sure how long this lockout will be, but I’m sure I’ll have a chance to get enough golf in.”
Golf may be Scott’s game of choice now a days, but years ago, he was an Inglewood legend before he became a star player for the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a big sports fan growing up, when he rooted for the Lakers, Dodgers, and at the time, the Los Angels Rams. At times he snuck into the Forum to watch the Lakers play.
While at Morningside High School, Scott starred in basketball, baseball, and football.
“God blessed me with great talents,” Scott said. “Growing up I had great speed, great hands. I could jump, I could run, on the basketball court I had pretty much unlimited range shooting the ball. I could pretty much jump over people. On the football field I was fast enough to get away from people. I had a great arm when I was running away from people. In baseball I pitched. Even with that type of talent, you have to have a great work ethic, and my work ethic was second to none.”
It was tiring for Scott to play that many sports in high school, but his parents made sure that he still hit the books, which paid off in the long run.
“I knew I had to do it to make sure that I stayed eligible to play sports and have an opportunity to go to college,” Scott said.
After high school, Scott played at Arizona St, and then was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers, who then traded him to the Lakers for Norm Nixon. After a 14-year career, which included three NBA championships with the Lakers, Scott is now searching for an NBA title as a head coach.
It has been rough in Cleveland for Scott, but he likes the mix of young and veteran talent that he has. He feels that the lockout will go through about December, which should give him a lot of time to improve on his golf game.
To register for the golf tournament, visit the AFTRA webstie at www.aftra .com
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