It is a side of Lawrence Taylor that most people never see or hear about. The same passion that made Taylor a Hall of Famer and arguably the National Football League ‘s greatest defensive player was on display at the 10th Annual Lawrence Taylor Throwback Celebrity Golf Weekend.
The event involving 200 participants was held at the Woodmont Country Club in Tamarac .
When it comes to supporting a worthy cause like Fore Life Inc., that offers at-risk youth an opportunity for quality mentoring and golf programming at little or no cost, Taylor is all on board.
“We’ve done this for 10 years and it has turned into a destination golf tournament with the same great people coming back every year,” Taylor said. “Everyone has fun and we have a good time with all the people getting more bang for the buck. We have a dance fever party, a Sip & Smoke welcome reception, Jammin in the Park and of course our Throwback Celebrity Golf Team Challenge and Super Skins Game.”
The Team Challenge was won by Winfred Glover, James Smith, Johanna LaRosa and Bryant Wardlaw with a score of 37, which was the lowest number in ThrowBack history. They were followed in the order of finish by Eric Knowles, Ron Moore, Mark Jackson and Gene Huey; and Mike Bell , Kevin Salley, Demetrius Salley and Tim Chatman (both with 43s). Low scores were attributed to Throwback Packs that were purchased to help save strokes.
Taylor wasn’t the only Hall of Famer in attendance as there were plenty of celebrities who came to support Fore Life Inc. Hall of Famers Rickey Jackson, Richard Dent, Eric Dickerson and two of LT’s former New York Giants teammates Brian Kelley and Thomas ‘Pepper’ Johnson were in attendance.
“This is a great cause that involves working with kids to get them into golf,” Jackson said. “I come every year to this event as LT and I came out together in 1981. We’ve been best friends since college. Everything they do out here is for the junior golfers. This Throwback golf event is unique with the old great music and old outfits.”
Kelley was a former 11-year veteran linebacker with the Giants and played four years with Taylor.
“Lawrence does a great job for the community,” Kelley said. “People read a lot of negative things about LT, but he does a lot of great things that people don’t hear about. He does a great job. When LT says you’re coming you come. We’ve been friends for 37 years and I’ve known LT as long as I’ve known my wife.”
Taylor gets to see firsthand the impact the Fore Life Inc. program has on local children.
“We’ve seen a lot of our kids grow up and do positive things in our community and in their lives and that is a blessing,” Taylor said. “Sometimes we have to walk before we can run, but our kids have done very well through this tournament.”
Taylor was the obvious main attraction, but he was quick to give praise to all the volunteers who helped make the tournament such a success. He is especially grateful to one person.
“This is Paula Pearson-Tucker’s baby, and she runs it,” Taylor said. “She is the person who makes it all go and I’m here with her. It’s not about me, but about the kids. It always feels good to be out here.”
Pearson-Tucker is an LPGA Teaching and Club Professional and head golf professional for the City of Lauderhill . She serves as the Executive and Tournament Director of Fore Life, Inc.
“What started as the City of Lauderhill’s 50th anniversary celebration has grown into one of the premiere golf tournaments in South Florida,” Pearson-Tucker said. “During that time, our Throwback Celebrity Golf Weekend has raised over $200,000 for Fore Life, Inc. and its new program ‘Golf Instead of Guns.’
For more information, visit www.forelifeinc.org.
