Star-studded golf fundraiser a success for CSN

By Jared Harmon

Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008 | 7:23 p.m.

Facing difficult economic times, College of Southern Nevada athletic director and baseball coach Tim Chambers said he had to get creative to raise money for the coming baseball and softball season. The result was the inaugural CSN Golf Classic at DragonRidge Golf Club on Tuesday.

For a donation to the program golfers were given the opportunity to play a scramble golf game with major league baseball players who have become friends of the program over the years including San Francisco Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand, Chicago Cubs outfielder Reed Johnson, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields and future Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux.

Former CSN standouts and current major-league prospects Jino Gonzalez of the Rays organization and Mike Dunn of the New York Yankees were also on hand.

About 120 golfers turned out paying $1,500 for a foursome or $5,000 for a threesome to play with a major leaguer.

"Anytime you gets guys like that together people are going to turn out," Chambers said. "The program has been fortunate to make these connections that we can say, 'Come help the program and you can play golf with an

All-Star or a World Series game-winner or a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer.'"

Chambers said similar events held by other organizations in the past drew 40 to 50 golfers the first year so he was elated with a 120-golfer turnout with six major leaguers willing to donate their time.

Shields, a cousin of Rowand and former Henderson resident, has been known to train at the CSN facility during the offseason along with Johnson and Rowand among others. He said his off season training is what gets him off on the right foot each spring. This season Shields went 14-8 with a 3.56 ERA and 160 strikeouts while leading the Rays to their first World Series appearance.

"Chambers is a great guy and the type of program he runs is top notch," Shields said. "I enjoy working out at CSN and I think its great for the city and great for the college that Chambers can do what he does for that team."

Recently added to the Yankees' 40-man roster, Dunn said he participated because he feels like he owes something back to Chambers and the Coyotes where he played in 2004 and 2005.

"Chambers and CSN were like a second family to me," Dunn said. "They took care of me. When I was out here and didn't have enough money to travel home for holidays, Chambers opened his home to me. Anytime they need me, I'll be here for them. Plus, an event like this is a lot of fun. It was a great day and I'm glad I came out."

Gonzalez, who played for the Coyotes in 2001 and 2003, agreed that CSN has become a second home to him and was eager to help in any way he could.

"I owe a lot to coach Chambers and we've stayed very close since I graduated," Gonzalez said. "He gives me total access to train here in the off season and he lets me know I'm always welcome here. I always try to make myself available if he needs me."

Chambers said one of the great benefits of having players who have reached the elite level of competition train at CSN is having his current players see first hand what it takes to make the next step.

"When these guys come to train they're not shaking hands and signing autographs, they've come to work, and our players get to see exactly what they do," Chambers said. "Most of the time they'll even work with our guys. Rowand will get in the batting cage for five hours working with each kid. That kind of stuff is invaluable."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].