Trump National Golf Club Hosts Dodgers

A day after starting against the Cincinnati Reds, Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley took to the links Thursday, along with others Dodger greats, at Trump National Golf Club for the 10th annual Dodgers Dream Foundation Charity Golf Invitational.

With each foursome including a Dodger legend, current player, coach or broadcaster, the tournament featured familiar names such as Fernando Valenzuela, Rick Monday, Steve Yeager and Todd Zeile. The Dodgers even had special guest Al Joyner, a 1984 Olympic gold medalist in the triple jump, at the Invitational.

"There are a lot of great people out here and it’s obviously for a great cause," Billingsley said. "You meet a lot of nice and great people and spend a day out here for a great cause also. What better way to spend the day.”

The event included a breakfast, silent and live auction, an awards banquet and a round of golf. Memorabilia for the auction included signed balls and shirts from former and current Dodger players.

Participants and sponsors could even bid on the "Vin Scully Experience," which allowed the winning bidder to meet Scully and sit in when he does a broadcast.
The event, in its biggest year yet, is expected to net over $100,000 for the Dodgers Dream Foundation. Created in 1998, the Foundation provides educational, athletic and recreational opportunities for the youth of the Greater Los Angeles community.

Thursday also marked the seventh consecutive year the Dodgers held the event at Trump.

"It is here in the greater L.A. area, but you don't feel like you are in Los Angeles," Dodgers Dream Foundation fundraising manager David Brennan said. "It is a tough course. Donald didn't make it to easy on people."

Billingsley, who played in the event at Trump for the fourth time, came with his brother and said the greens were playing quite quickly Thursday.

Joyner had never played at Trump before and was excited to hit some balls on such a picturesque course.

“I am really honored to be here. I hope they don’t ban me from the course after my performance today,” Joyner said. “Golf is one of those sports where you get competitive, but you have fun and it is a great cause. It is a humbling game. I can outrun the ball, but I can’t outhit it.”

Planning the event for over six months, Brennan is happy to see all the athletes, Dodger greats and sponsors show up to participate.

“You set the date, so it is nice when it comes to fruition and you see everyone on the golf carts headed out to the holes,” Brennan said. "It is all going to go to a great cause. We have tons of Dodger greats. It is a fun day and is exciting."

Valenzuela, who played for the Dodgers for 10 seasons and is currently a color commentator for the Dodgers Spanish radio station, looks forward to the event every year.

“We just go out and have fun and support this program,” Valenzuela said. “The Dodgers do a very good thing to put on this golf tournament every year and it’s great. I’m happy to be a part of this tournament.”