With the sun beating down and not a cloud in the sky, men’s basketball coach Patrick Chambers and football coach Bill O’Brien spoke about their upcoming golf game together under the comfort of a low hanging tree.
“I’m like a 25 handicap, I hear [Patrick] is a 10,” O’Brien joked Friday. “So we got a little wager on it, but I can’t tell you what that wager is, because it’s against NCAA rules. I just played a few times with my dad up in Cape Cod. But I couldn’t beat him.”
O’Brien and Chambers teed off on the Penn State Blue Course around 1:00 PM, playing in a foursome that included a father-son paring that won an auction to play with Chambers and O’Brien the night before for $5100. O’Brien birdied the first hole, putting into question his claims that he was just an “Okay” golfer.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Chambers said. “I finally get to play in the tournament this year, after having knee surgery last year, and I can’t wait. Bill and I are both passionate about fighting cancer and helping the community, and we thought this would be a unique way to help generate a little bit more for the cause. It’s going to be a great event and I know we’ll have a heck of a good time with our four playing partners.”
The Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament, hosted by Nittany Lion head coach Patrick Chambers, sees more than 300 golfers and sponsors each year. In the program’s 18th year, the organization was able to break the two-million dollar mark to help support the American Cancer Society and provide aid to those affected by the disease in the Centre region. CVC-Penn State annually ranks among the top 10 highest fundraisers among Coaches vs. Cancer organizations nationally.
Aside from O’Brien and Chambers the event was full of former and current Penn State coaches and players. O’Brien was one of five members of the Penn State football coaching staff taking part.
Among O’Brien’s staff, assistant head coach Stan Hixon, defensive coordinator John Butler, quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher and director of strength and conditioning Craig Fitzgerald were all on hand.
Penn State head coaches participating included, Josh Brandwene (women’s hockey), Guy Gadowsky (men’s hockey), John Hargis (swimming and diving), Char Morett (field hockey), Greg Nye (men’s golf), Mark Pavlik (men’s volleyball), Russ Rose (women’s volleyball), Jeff Thompson (women’s gymnastics) and Bob Warming (men’s soccer).
Outside of Happy Valley, Penn State basketball commit Geno Thorpe will be taking part in the Mary-Kline Classic this weekend hosted at Philadelphia University. The event raises money for cancer awareness in honor of recruiting analyst and current Syracuse student Alex Kline’s mother.
