"Kiss Legends Golf Tournament Keeps On Rockin!"

The 4th Annual Pacific University's 2010 Legends Golf Classic hosted by Tommy Thayer was recently held at the Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha, Oregon. My son MJ (3 times National Special Olympics Golf Champion) and I were guests of Tommy Thayer. Tommy has his roots in Portland and is on the Board of Pacific University. The University was founded in 1849 and is one of the finest liberal arts, education and health profession universities in the country. There are 1485 undergraduates and 1728 graduate students. This year the tournament rocked and was bigger and better than ever. Celebrity's like Chili Davis, Tommy Armour III, Geoff Bodine, Sean Fister, Gene Simmons and many others were treated like royalty for two days of golf and fun.

The tournament kicked off with a silent auction fueled by the famous Kiss Goodnight cocktails (Black Cherry Vodka and cranberry juice.) A  4 course sit down dinner featuring 2008 Desert Wind Ruah Bordeaux blend, 2009 Duck Pond Pinot Gris and 2005 Duck Pond Semillon Desert Wine was perfect with the entree grilled flat iron steak with parsley red skin potatoes, baby carrots and wild mushroom demi-glace. The emcee was acclaimed sportscaster and Monday Night football broadcaster Lisa Guerrero.

The live auction was full of energy and raised lots of money for the university. 3 people bought signed Kiss guitars for $15,000 each. Gene Simmons sweetened the purchase with invitations and back stage passes to a future Kiss concert.

The highlight was a special concert with Tommy Thayer and friends. Jake Blades of the famous band Night Ranger, Danny Seraphine original drummer for Chicago, Johnny Lee Urban Cowboy fame and biggest hit Looking for Love, and Ray Kennedy famous song writer with Dave Mason, Brian Wilson and Fleetwood Mac entertained the crowd with lively music, dancing and fun. Former LA Ram Leroy Irvin and others joined this vibrant group on stage to help Tommy and crew do a few songs. Kiss favorite "Rock and Roll All Nite" had everyone dancing and smiling into the wee hours with many "Goodnight Kisses."

Golf the next day was highlighted by a clinic with one of the top rated teaching professionals Tommy Masters. He is rated as one of Golf Magazine's top 100 instructors. Long drive Champion Sean Fister also hit some long bombs. He told us that he has hit the ball over 500 yards and can carry it 360 yards. A putting contest, lunch and cocktails preceded the 1:00 Shot gun that filled both the North and South courses at the Reserve. A brief opening ceremony featured Tommy and Gene wishing everyone good luck. Gene had the cameras follow him around for his Family Jewels program and has not played much golf before so it will be a very interesting future TV segment.

We got paired with some great golfers and good guys. Eddy Goldenberg and Alan Skuba from Palm Desert and Dr. Brett Johnson a local dentist. We had the good omen of starting out on lucky number 7. Having played in many of these kinds of events, I know it was going to be a good day when Eddy nearly aced the par three number seven. We finished 15 under par and won the Pro-Am with each of us getting Callaway drivers. I was lucky and made a 50 foot putt on one hole to secure a one stroke victory. Alan Skuba is a long time manager with Big Horn in the desert and his long time friend Mack Wiebe rode along with us. Mack is the proud father of Senior Professional Mark Wiebe and had some good tips for Alan to lead us to victory. A final awards presentation was held and followed by a golf ball drop. 500 people bought a chance to win closest to the hole when a helicopter dropped the 500 balls on the putting green.

The weather was perfect and Pacific University benefited from very generous patrons. My partner Alan Skuba summarized the day when he said on our last hole, 'I can't believe we are on the last hole already. It is days like this that you never want to end." Tommy said he promises to make it even bigger next year. Great event Tommy! MJ and I are looking forward to "rockin" with you and Gene again next year!