By TIM TROWER
It was quite a sight. Two former NFL players on the tee box, their jaws set tight, fists clenched, grunting, strutting, giving themselves spirited, ego-boosting pep talks.
"I’m the best," said one.
"No one’s better than me," said the other.
"I’m gonna dominate this game," said the first.
On went Chad Cota and Alex Molden, working themselves into a frothy mess before they couldn’t take it any longer and broke into uncontrollable laughter.
The two former defensive secondary mates at the University of Oregon and, briefly, with the New Orleans Saints, weren’t trying to jack themselves up for their golf game Thursday at Rogue Valley Country Club. They were reliving a moment from their Duck days, when an athletic psychology course they took had them stomping around in a pregame ritual like professional wrestlers on the prowl.
Their reunion was the result of Cota’s annual golf shootout this week. Although team numbers were down — a common theme as summer tournaments press on during hard economic times — celebrities still showed up and a good time was had by all.
The week began with a dinner for celebrities and sponsors at Kat Wok on Wednesday; the informal golf outing at RVCC, a Jimmy Wayne concert and a gathering at Four Daughters on Thursday; the golf tourney proper on Friday, with 31 teams at Centennial Golf Club; then free youth football camps, with the aid of former college and pro stars, Saturday in Medford and today at Grants Pass High (1 p.m.).
As usual, former NFL guard Frank Garcia dominated the Thursday round at RVCC. He shot 4 under and helped his team to first place. There was a skins game and skill contests, and Garcia was well represented.
Molden, too, is a regular here. (It was Cota who encouraged him to take up golf as an offseason pastime when both played for the Saints.)
Molden, a former cornerback, works at the Nike campus in Beaverton as a physical trainer. He works primarily with pro football clients. He’s seen Michael Jordan on campus but not Tiger Woods.
The Jimmy Wayne concert, I’m told, was a big hit. The country singer’s background made him a perfect fit for an event that benefits CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Jackson County, which works for abused and neglected children. Wayne’s songs and stories are largely about his own strife while growing up, and he clearly resonated with the audience.
On Friday, we enjoyed having Wes Mallard in our group. The former Oregon outside linebacker signed as a free agent with the Seattle Seahawks shortly after the recent draft and is a backup to Leroy Hill and will likely be on special teams. His golf game was a bit off, partly because he spends much of his time preparing for the rigors of the NFL. Still, he tried hard and very much wanted to help the team. Plus, he’s a quiet, nice guy. There’s been the occasional pro athlete come through whom we couldn’t say that about.
He did admit his timing could have been better. He was drafted by the New York Giants in 2002 and stayed there for three seasons. He wasn’t with them, however, when they won this year’s Super Bowl.
Mallard spent a short period with the New England Patriots in 2005 before joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for nearly three seasons.
I asked if there were any running backs that are particularly hard to bring down. He said, "All of them," then admitted kick and punt returners are tough because you can’t tackle what you can’t catch.
Bucs coach Jon Gruden is a player’s coach, he said. Gruden is younger than some head coaches and relates well to his players, said Mallard. He never dared call him "Chucky," a moniker derived from Gruden’s resemblance to a horror film character.
Mallard also didn’t solicit advice from Bucs wide receiver Joey Galloway before signing with Seattle, where Galloway played for several years. "That was a long time ago," he said of Galloway’s Seahawk years.
I didn’t hear how the turnout Saturday was for the camp, but there were 450 kids last year and I assume it was equally popular this time around. And remember, there’s still a chance to get over to Grants Pass today for Round 2 if you’re so inclined.
