Conley's hosts CSI celebrity golf outing
PENN TWP – Colorful personalities playing a round of golf in good weather and for a great cause.
It all made for a nice day at Conley's Resort.
Twenty-three celebrity golfers showed up for the Robin Cole Celebrity Golf Classic, held Monday afternoon.
The event benefits Christian Sports International, which is based in Zelienople.
"We had great weather for it today," said CSI president Scott Grinder. "Last year, it was 41 degrees."
CSI takes the money raised from the event and uses it to fund its many programs, which include youth sports camps held around the country.
"Many of the camps we offer are in inner-cities," said Grinder. "We want to offer the kids something to pull them away from (the drugs and violence)."
Celebrity golfers included former Steelers players Andy Russell, Mel Blount, Randy Grossman, Louis Lipps and former Pittsburgh Pirates Grant Jackson, Jim Rooker, John Candelaria, Elroy Face, Sid Bream and Frank Thomas, among others.
CSI needs a big name and a recognizable face in order to bring that many former professional sports stars into the fold.
That's where Robin Cole comes in.
"Robin is in charge of getting the celebrities in here," said Grinder. "He's done a lot of good work for us."
Cole, who lives in Washington County, has been involved with CSI for eight years. This is his fifth year in charge of the charity golf event.
"I began to volunteer my time to (CSI) because I believe in what they're doing," said Cole.
"I golf in a lot of these celebrity tournaments, including the one that Andy Russell has," he added. "And it's like a trade-off. You help somebody out with their event and they'll turn around and do something for you."
Cole is also in charge of collecting sports memoribilia, which is auctioned off following the golf event. All proceeds from the auction also benefit CSI.
"I used to run all over the place getting that stuff for the auction," said Cole. "But now, I've got a guy who does that for me."
This was the sixth year for the golf outing. In years past, it's been held at Treesdale Golf Club and Quick Silver Golf Course before taking place at Conley's last year.
Helping out charities, whether it be donating money or time, has become a habit for many former pro athletes.
"I've been showing up at events like this for about 30 years now," said former Pirates pitcher Grant Jackson, who lives in Upper St. Clair. "If it's going to help out kids, I'll do it.
"I'm actually going to New Mexico next month to golf in an event that helps kids like this one does," said Jackson.
Even though CSI is the focal point of the annual golf outing, former professional athletes simply can't leave their competitive spirit at home.
"It's like anything else, I play to win," said Jackson. "But the main thing is that the money is for a good cause and we're here to have fun."
