The Larry Smith Celebrity Classic

by John Kim

It's June 13th, and I'm watching some of the world's most renowned, accomplished athletes sweating over three foot putts and knee deep rough. Where am I? Well, the easy answer is Bethpage State Park in New York, watching the U.S. Open. Good answer, but wrong. I'm in Mattoon, Illinois, a small farming community that I couldn't find on a map if you gave me Mr. Rand McNally and the Governor of Illinois as assistants. No, the greens don't roll 13 on the stimpmeter, and the knee deep rough is actually a corn field, but the course and the golf are superb and there are no missed cuts. This is the site of the Larry Smith Celebrity Golf Classic, and in many ways, the U.S. Open pales in comparison.
In May 1998, CNN/Sports Illustrated sports anchor Larry Smith approached city leaders in Mattoon about staging a celebrity golf event in the town. Smith, an avid golfer, had played in several similar outings for years and wanted to bring that type of big-city, high profile event to his hometown. Within weeks, a committee was formed and a sponsorship drive began. The event sold out four months in advance.

And to show that some things you just can't plan for, the first event was almost lost due to......a tornado. Less than two days before teeing off, Mattoon Country Club was left unplayable by the storm which set off a mad scramble to find suitable replacements. I'm happy to report the substitute course was more than "ok" as Meadow View Golf Course stepped in and has hosted the event ever since. (I'm a big fan of the course, and I'm not just saying that because the owner and I teamed up for a second place finish last year.)

After arriving late Wednesday night and the standard 2am Steak and Shake meal, we wake up early Thursday to head to the Meadow View Golf Club on the outskirts of Mattoon. (Can you really be on the outskirts of a town this small?) I spend some time greeting friends that I met last year and meeting some of the new sponsors and celebrities. To be honest, I'm in amazement at the people that show up for this event. A quick walk across the putting green means winding your way through an encyclopedia of prominent names in the worlds of sports, entertainment, and media. I laugh with Tom Sneva, winner of the 1983 Indianapolis 500 and the first man to break the 200mph barrier at Indy. (Too bad he can't break 90 on the course. Just a joke, the guy can play - heck, he owns a golf course back in Arizona.) George Rogers, 1980 Heisman Trophy winner and 1981 NFL Rookie of the Year, gives me a hard time about the Vanderbilt/South Carolina game we watched together last fall. (Vandy had 'em until the 2nd quarter started.) Former NBA legend "Sweet Lou" Hudson is posing for pictures, Joel Klug (the dude from the original "Survivor") is chatting with fans, and Bob Hill, former coach of the San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers, is getting some putts in before we start. Now don't get me wrong, I love Mattoon and the people in this town are second to none in their hospitality and friendliness, but "why?" is a fair question. It's not easy to get here. We flew in to Bloomington, Illinois and then had another hour and a half drive to get to Mattoon. So why would "big names" go through the trouble? Well, the short answer is - Larry Smith.

Most people know Larry Smith as the veteran sports anchor seen nightly on CNN Headline News. Those that know him personally know him as one of the most giving, selfless, and genuinely nice people they've ever encountered. As much as he goes out of his way to help others, it really is no surprise that when he asks, so many answer his call to help in his tournament. Of course, the fact that he throws quite a bash doesn't hurt either. But let's not forget Larry's journalistic pedigree. Larry paid his dues working at small stations in West Palm Beach, Knoxville, and Champaign before joining CNN Sports in December of 1993. In his travels, he has interviewed many of sports biggest stars and of course, many have become friends of his along the way. To wit, some other celebrities of note that made their way to Mattoon:

Tom Sneva and George Rogers -Tom won the 1983 Indy500, George won the 1980 Heisman Trophy

Pete Johnson - Former Ohio State Buckeye and Cincinnati Bengal, played in two Super Bowls and one Pro Bowl.

"Sweet Lou" Johnson - former Los Angeles Dodger great, helped team win 1965 World Series, currently a member of the team's front office.

Steve Reese - former NFL linebacker

"Scooter" McGruder - 12 year veteran of the NFL.

Ray D'Alessio - CNN Headline News Sports anchor.

Jennifer Horton - goalie for the 1996 USA Women's Handball Team.

"Satch" Davidson - legendary Major League Baseball umpire, was behind home plate when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth's home run record. (Couldn't see a lick. Just kidding)

There's at least two dozen others that should be listed, but space and time won't allow it. Still, everyone deserves a special recognition and thanks for their time and effort to make this event such a big success.

The Golf Classic is divided into two separate days of golf. The Thursday round is a fun team format, where you play nine holes as part of a two man alternate shot skins game, and nine holes as part of a six man modified scramble. I would write a lot more about this except my team didn't win. didn't even come close. Let's move on to Friday.

Okay, we didn't win on Friday either, but we had a helluva good time. Friday is the more traditional five man step aside scramble. Former ABA/NBA great Randy Smith plays in our group during the scramble, and though we don't emerge victorious; we totally should have. Atlantans may remember Randy as the MVP of the NBA All-Star Game the last time the event was held here in Atlanta (1978). Next year's All-Star game will return to our city, and will feature a ceremony honoring Randy as part of the festivities. Though I was a mere child at the time, I totally remember that game and the way you dominated. Randy, you were awesome. Now, about those tickets.. Okay, so I didn't come home with any hardware. But last year, my team came in 2nd and they couldn't even get my name right in the local paper. (Who the heck is "John Chin?") Didn't want to live through that embarrassment again so I decided to let some other team walk proud this year. Hope they screw up your names guys. See how you like them apples.

The Larry Smith Golf Classic is more a two-day festival than it is merely about golf, but I do have one other golf story I have to relate. The big prizes on both days were given to the winners of a "closest to the pin" contest. Yes, the actual tournament winners received trophies and such, but the big prizes were new Wittnauer watches for those that could tame a given par 3. On day one, facing 165 yard par 3 that played over water and against a stiff crosswind, I hit a shot that I thought was pretty darn good. Being closest to the pin for the time being, I gave my name to the hole monitors and eagerly finished out the rest of my round. As I entered the clubhouse later, I approached one of the tournament officials and asked for my watch. "Sorry John," she relayed, "someone beat you out of it." Are you kidding me? I was not happy. Who would have the audacity (much less the ability) to hit a shot better than mine? Well, uh, that would be my boss. Rolando Santos, Vice-President in charge of CNN Headline News (and Larry's boss as well), stuck a 7 wood to within a few feet. So as much as I wanted to whine and complain - well, that's just not gonna happen. (Good career move for you Larry, way to move the tees closer for him... ha ha). However, to keep the golf tradition up and running at work, I won the watch on day two. Now, not only will you all get your news in a timely fashion as you watch Headline News, it will be in styling timely fashion.

Thursday night was a dinner for sponsors and celebrities (and co-workers!) and then late night card games. Friday night was the big tent party (almost wiped out by another classic Midwest storm but we held on), complete with musical performances by BMI recording artist Ray Vega (who is also a very good golfer), the band Pop Rocks, and former Eagle Don Felder (the music group, not NFL team). And then, more card games. Also on Friday, and most importantly, was the presentation of the scholarships to the very deserving winners. As much as a great party this event is, we all know and appreciate the reason we are here. The very impressive bottom line is, in the four years that Larry has hosted this event, it has raised over $25,000 in scholarships for local high schoolers. Also, did you know that some of these kids are studying things that weren't even words when I was in school? Feeling old guys, feeling old.

"Remember the Alamo." No, not the one in San Antonio, but the one in the heart of Mattoon. After a long day of golf, eating, and partying, you have to find a place to unwind, right? The place of choice for many (okay, the only choice) was a local watering hole named The Alamo. Let me tell you, this place rocks. An extremely fun atmosphere, cheap drinks (just Diet Coke for me), and - I don't know what they put in the corn up there- some of the most attractive ladies I've ever seen. If Atlanta ever becomes too much, I'm buying a home in Mattoon.

The Larry Smith Celebrity Golf Classic is not just about golf, scholarships, parties, or celebrities. To me, it shows the commitment of someone who remembers and treasures his past, and has found a way to give back to a community that has given him so much. I'm a bit envious of Larry. As much as I kid him about Mattoon's size and location, it seems like it would have been a great place to grow up. You wouldn't believe how much work it takes to put one of these things together (the logistics of travel alone for this event could be a full time job) but Larry does it out of a love and passion for this community. I don't blame him.

There is no way that I could relate all the people and fun experiences that make a trip to Mattoon so memorable. Mattoon probably rates around 6 trillionth or so in vacation destinations in the U.S., but it's a top tier stop for me. As long as they will have me, I'll be back every year. Heck, even when they ask me to NOT show, I'll keep coming. And when I do show - I'll be on time (thanks to my new watch). So will my boss. And next year, when I win, they'd better get my name right.