Community Charities Win Players Trust Golf Tournament Again
LAS VEGAS – Charities doing great work in their communities here and around the world were the big winners of the 12th annual Players Trust golf tournament on Thursday (Jan. 14) when more than 50 current and former players competed for prizes and bragging rights at the beautiful and challenging Cascata course.
Rising young stars Bryce Harper of the Nationals and Kris Bryant, who both live in Las Vegas, co-hosted the fund-raising event to benefit charitable organizations selected by the players, including Las Vegas area nonprofits selected by Bryant and Harper.
“The Players Trust golf tournament is such a great event for all involved,” said free agent Drew Stubbs, a veteran of seven seasons with the Reds, Rockies and Rangers whose group won the tournament. “Playing golf with good company while raising money for a better cause is a win-win for everyone. It's an event I look forward to each year.”
Bryant, Harper and Stubbs were joined by Hall of Famers Eddie Murray and Dave Winfield as well as former and active players Marlon Anderson, Adrian Beltre, Bobby Bonilla, Brad Boxberger, Phil Bradley, Trevor Brown, Kris Bryant, Chris Capuano, Rick Cerone, Randy Choate, Royce Clayton, Chris Colabello, Eric Davis, Rajai Davis, Scott Erickson, Dana Eveland, Kyle Farnsworth, Dexter Fowler, Charlie Furbush, Wayne Gomes, Jeremy Guthrie, Jeffrey Hammonds, Bryce Harper, LaTroy Hawkins, Nick Hundley, Jacque Jones, Brandon Kintzler, Corey Knebel, Matt LaPorta, Mike Lincoln, Kenny Lofton, James Loney, Fred Lynn, Nick Masset, Scott Moore, Donnie Murphy, Mike Myers, Tommy Pham, David Riske, Daniel Robertson, Steve Rogers, Aaron Rowand, Reggie Sanders, Hector Santiago, Chasen Shreve, Steven Souza, Jr., Ryan Spilborghs, Kelly Stinnett , Steve Trachsel, Shane Victorino and Brad Ziegler.
Former star Kenny Lofton, who has never missed a Trust event, won the closest-to-the-pin contest and Souza, an outfielder for the Rays, won the longest-drive competition. Placing second to Stubbs’ five-some was the group led by Ziegler, who in addition to being the Daimondbacks’ closer has been active with the Players Association and Players Trust throughout his eight-year career.
The tournament was sponsored by Lindbrook Capital, SunTrust Mortgage, Delta, Nike Baseball, Harvest Insurance, Sid Potts, TOPPS, POMS and Associates and the Doman Group.
The day before golf, the Players Trust held its annual board meeting, during which players reviewed their charities activities and made programming and budget decisions for 2016, and the MGM Grand hosted its second annual poker tournament to benefit the Trust.
“We had some awesome events and sponsors this year,” said Knebel, a 24-year-old right-hander with the Brewers. “Having Hall of Famers, former greats and current players show up to Inspire people to donate for our great cause. The event exemplifies the Players Trust motto: Care. Act. Inspire.”
Each offseason for the past 12 years, the Trust has hosted a tournament on some of the country's most exclusive golf courses, such as Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif., and Scottsdale TPC and Grayhawk Golf Club in Arizona.
For more information about sponsoring or attending the Players Trust’s next event, please visit playerstrust.org, call 888-714-0755 or send an e-mail to PlayersTrust@mlbpa.org.
