Date: 8/23/04
Author: David Williams
Photos: David Williams, Steven Hahn and Jason Mendes

Related Items:
2004 Wakesports/WakeWorld Golf Classic Photo Gallery
2003 Wakesports/WakeWorld Golf Classic

One of our charitable Mulligan Girls

It's not easy getting wakeboarders off the water in the middle of a beautiful southern California summer. It's even harder when it's mid-week, the lakes are relatively uncrowded and, for some reason, these folks already have the day off. Luckily, we were blessed with the fact that wakeboarders are a relatively attention-challenged species and can easily be lured away from just about anything with the temptation of golf, pretty Mulligan Girls and the opportunity to help out the kids at Camp Hope. That's what made the Second Annual Wakesports/WakeWorld Charity Golf Classic a success.

The morning of July 15, 2004 had sponsors running around the Costa Mesa Country Club getting their holes set up to accommodate the deluge of golfers scheduled to hit in just a few short hours. We saw a set up with yet-to-be-released 2005

Tony Smith of Alliance

gear from Hyperlite and an army of inflatable dolls from Liquid Force. Three holes were set up by California Skier, Action Boats and Paradise Marine, each of which provided a chance to win a brand new wakeboard boat upon the completion of a hole-in-one. We even had Fluid Concepts importing their own Mulligan Girls in order to make their hole look as attractive as possible. However, the winner of the best-decorated hole award had to go to Alliance Wakeboard magazine. Not only were Bill McCaffray, Tony Smith and crew sporting the prettiest golf clothing, but they also provided the biggest cooler of refreshments, the largest amount of drive-through shade and punching bags all the way down their fairway to increase the enjoyment of chasing after that little white ball.

It was just like herding cats, only different. Trying to get pros, fans and industry heavy and lightweights, some of which already had beers in hand, rounded up for a shotgun start proved difficult. However, that

Aaron Reed and Jim Leatherman

didn't faze our starter, Liquid Force Trip Across America captain, Josh Cantor. Josh took the bull by the horns and was somehow able to get approximately 50 golf carts and 144 box lunches peppered throughout the 18 holes that we had purchased for the day.

That's when things got ugly. I don't know why it never occurs to us that perhaps the combination of wakeboarders, swinging clubs and little go(lf) carts, which will never reach the speed desired by their drivers no matter what they drive them down (or off), is a dangerous mix at best. Perhaps, like combining vinegar and baking soda and watching that volcano explode, this is the allure of the amateur golf tournament.

Shawn Watson

As organizers, Tyler Irwin of Wakesports Unlimited and I felt it was our duty to cruise the course in our customized, stretch golf cart and spread good cheer. Let's face it; if people aren't having a good time, they won't make it back next year. We also found that if they're thirsty, they won't make it back to the clubhouse. So, as we did last year, we added beverages to our list of things to spread throughout the course. You don't know how relieved we were to find out that the cost of beer at the snack shack hadn't gone up since last year. It was still a very reasonable $56 per case. As Fletch once said, "Oh, then I'd better only get two of those."

Seriously though, I don't think anybody had as much fun at this event as Tyler and I. It's really a privilege to roll around all day and talk with so many great people and to see them having a great time. Add to that the fact that all the profits are going to charity and you've got one hell of a day thanks to all the great people and sponsors that were involved.

Brett Eisenhauer blazes his own trail as ESPN's Jeff Barton reports

It was a lazy, slow-paced day as everybody took their time and enjoyed the course and camaraderie to the fullest. Keith Kipp of Caguamas fame was out there with his video camera in hand capturing the event for posterity. Although I'm sure our clubs picked up their share of divots throughout the day, I think the golfers showed a lot of growth since last year's event considering there were no reports of overturned golf carts and not one person had to be carted off to the hospital. Not that team No Fear members Brett Eisenhauer and Braden Dahl didn't do their best to accomplish both the former and latter. The Mulligan Girls spread out throughout the course kept everyone from getting bored with their raffle ticket sales and sparkling personalities.

Andrew Adkison tees off...nice form

The real story of what went on out on the course is best told through pictures, so don't miss our nearly 100-picture photo gallery.

Once everybody had knocked out at least 18 holes, they headed to the 19th hole located in the clubhouse. There they found Skip's Garage setting up their instruments and amps, plenty of giveaway shwag lining the table and a Mexican buffet that was sure to make it an interesting Friday for anybody sitting in the vicinity of our hungry crowd of wakeboarders. Aaron Reed and Danny Hampson warmed up the mic and the stunned crowd with a sparkling version of "Jack and Diane."

Josh Cantor again took control of the festivities as he doled out wakeboards, wakeskates, DVD's, clothing and tons of other gear. Sponsors were super generous this year and almost everybody left with some great shwag, especially Carter Alexander, who walked out the

Aaron Reed and Danny Hampson - "Jack and Diane"

door with a 2005 Hyperlite Byerly board. The one silent auction item we had donated was the new TaylorMade r7 Quad adjustable driver. Photographer Mike Isler reached deep into his pockets and put $500 towards the cause to pick up one of the most amazing drivers ever made.

The party continued with the awards ceremony. The guys from California Skier and Collin Harrington teamed up to take first place with an 11 under par performance. It was the same score that Shaun Murray and his team needed to win the tournament in 2003. Second and third place went to the Liquid Force/Spy and Paradise Marine/TaylorMade teams respectively. But let's face it, everybody who showed up was a winner!

The Winners - Collin Harrington and California Skier

We'd like to thank all the Charity Golf Classic sponsors and participants for coming out to Costa Mesa Country Club to make this great event possible. Major sponsors of the 2004 Wakesports/ WakeWorld Golf Classic included Action Boats, Album Films, Alliance, California Skier, Fluid Concepts, Hyperlite, Liquid Force, Paradise Boats and the Pro Wakeboard Tour.

Also supporting this great cause were Cassette, Cire Boardwear, Fox Racing, GM/Vortec, Inland Surfer, MasterCraft, Sobe/No Fear, Spy Optic and Taylor Made.

The Wakesports/WakeWorld Golf Classic is an annual event, so stay tuned for information on next year's tournament so you can be included in all the fun. If you have any questions or would like to sponsor next year's event, please contact David Williams at 619-204-2885 or gobig@wakeworld.com.

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