Jan. 30, 2012
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By Andrew Jennette
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The first UCF Softball Celebrity Golf Tournament was a great success as over 60 golfers showed up early to the Tuscawilla Country Club in Winter Springs to support the entire softball program as it gears up for the 2012 campaign. Beginning at 10 a.m. many UCF softball supporters and golf enthusiasts arrived to take in wonderful weather and the impeccably groomed golf course.
Team Huey Magoo's posted the low round of the Texas scramble event with a scorching 17-under 55 overall. A foursome team that featured UCF volleyball head coach Todd Dagenais and UCF men's soccer coach Bryan Cunningham was hot on their heels in second place with a 13-under 59.
Head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie had her entire coaching staff and players on hand introducing themselves and helping out at various points on the golf course. The players and coaches continued helping during the banquet portion of the event during the live prize raffle. Raffle prizes included items such as a new golf bag, golf clubs and new golf balls.
Many players had fun introducing themselves and teammates to loyal UCF softball supporters. Freshmen Hayley Barrow (Miami, Fla.) and Mackenzie Audas (Plant City, Fla.) were two of the many Knights who enjoyed their time helping out and meeting celebrities such as MLB player Johnny Damon.
"Today was so much fun, the weather was great and all the golfers were so enthusiastic to be here," Barrow said. "I'm pretty sure everyone on the team took a picture with Johnny Damon."
Barrow, Audas and the rest of the Knights are looking forward to the 2012 season and the season opening National Collegiate Softball Invitational Tournament that is just 11 days away on Feb. 10.
"We hope that we can put this event on every year," Audas added. "Hayley and I are freshmen and we would love to be able to get to come back here and do this three more times. The turnout was really good for the first time ever putting on this event and we think it can get even bigger and better next time."
After the dinner banquet, there was a live auction emceed by assistant coach Ruben Felix that featured autographed items by current major league players such as Troy Tulowitzki, Felix Hernandez, Todd Helton, Matt Wieters, Jason Giambi, Omar Vizquel and Huston Street as well as autographed items from MLB Hall of Famers Rollie Fingers and Mike Schmidt. All golfer and auction proceeds went toward the UCF softball program's team costs.
"We all really should thank Ruben for this whole event. He's really the mastermind behind this whole thing. None of us would even be here if coach had not given so much of his time and had so many good connections out there for all of these great auction items," Barrow added.
Season tickets and single game tickets for the softball season are still available by calling the UCF ticket office at (407) 823-1000, or by visiting UCFAthletics.com.