Celebrating 25 Classic years
http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2007052926

When Mountaineer fans gather at Berry Hills, the memories are sure to flow
May 30, 2007
By Mitch Vingle - Sports Editor

Connie Boardman, the office manager at Berry Hills, remembers well one of the WVU Classics held in the mid-1980s.

Hot Rod Hundley, the former Mountaineer basketball star and current Utah Jazz broadcaster, was one of several who decided to retire to the men’s locker room after the event’s pairings party for a few hands of cards.

The few hands turned into much more. So much more that the club’s staff left the players on their own around midnight.

The next morning, Boardman showed up for work around 7 a.m. And found the group still in the locker room.

Asleep on the benches.

Undaunted, but presumably a bit hung over, Hundley and company showered, changed clothes and hit the course.

* * *

The WVU Classic, which will again be held at Berry Hills on Thursday and Friday, is now in its 25th year. According to chairman Jack Cipoletti, net proceeds for Mountaineer athletics have reached somewhere between $1.1 million to $1.2 million.

But while the kick to WVU’s athletic department makes Cipoletti proud, the memories are what make him smile.

* * *

In the Classic’s first year, committee member Bobby Gwynne was responsible for securing automobiles as prizes for anyone who could record a hole-in-one on each of the course’s five par-3s.

Well, Gwynne could only secure four, so he suggested skipping No. 14, which demanded a long shot over a ravine.

The bad news for Gwynne was one of the golfers scored an ace on No. 14. The worse news was that golfer was Gwynne. Reports are his wife at the time was not happy about the turn of events. At all.

* * *

The Classic was started in 1982. Vic Green, Lawson Hamilton and the “Downtown Coaches’’ had attended a similar fundraiser for the Duke Childrens Hospital and thought of their favorite charity - Mountaineer athletics.

The original objective was to raise funds for endowments for then-football coach Don Nehlen and then-basketball coach Gale Catlett. After those were funded, the proceeds have gone toward scholarships.

Green chaired the first event, Denver Rawlings the second and Cipoletti the following 23.

* * *

Volunteeer Judy Romano has helped with the event since Green started it. She remembers when Jim Braxton, “a mountain of a man,’’ attended after retiring from the NFL, where he carved a niche as O.J. Simpson’s main blocker.

Well, on the first hole, Braxton, now deceased, pulled out a 4-wood and drove the 330-yard par 4. Later, the courtesy drivers who transported the celebrities between the Marriott and Berry Hills found out from where Braxton’s drew his strength.

In the middle of the night he would send them out for “a bag of cheeseburgers.’’

* * *

A typical field at the Classic is 100 golfers and 25 WVU team captains, which includes the coaches, or 25 fivesomes. A blind draw is held on the Thursday night before the scramble at the pairings party.

* * *

Geoff Christian, a current member of the Classic committee, was paired with then-WVU, now-Michigan basketball coach John Beilein. It was Beilein’s first year as the Mountaineer coach.

Not much of a golfer, Beilein proclaimed as much to Christian and his partners.

“We don’t want you to be a good golfer,’’ Christian said. “We want you to be a good basketball coach.’’

After six holes, the team hadn’t used any of Beilein’s shots in the scramble, prompting Christian to put his arm around the newbie and say, “You must be a real good basketball coach.’’

Toward the end, Christian fired off his coup de grace.

“You have to be the Big East coach of the year.’’

* * *

The goal of securing funds for WVU is taken seriously by Cipoletti and his committee, which this year consists of Cipoletti’s son, Jay, Tim Humphrey, Dale Clowser and Jim Strawn. The Mountaineer Athletic Club pitches in the help of Niles Eggleston, Jan Runner, Gary McPherson and Whit Babcock. Brad Howe represents the WVU athletic department.

The atmosphere, however, is relaxed. The elder Cipoletti calls it a “reunion atmosphere.’’ The coaches get to bring their wives. They stay over instead of playing golf and buzzing back to Morgantown. A fashion show is held, open to the public, and it has become quite popular.

* * *

One year, Hollywood star Nick Nolte attended the event. And apparently had loads of fun.

The Berry Hills staff remembers that Nolte was one of the last to leave the club after the pairings party.

Well, upon arriving at the Marriott, Nolte wanted to tip the courtesy car driver, but didn’t have his wallet or any cash.

So he gave the driver his Rolex watch.

* * *

Thursday’s Classic is completely booked. A four-player Gold package went for $2,100. A single amateur entry cost $650. In addition, there were hole sponsors ($250 a hole).

Cipoletti and crew are working on their next $1 million for Mountaineer scholarships.

And more Classic memories for those who attend.

To contact staff writer Mitch Vingle, use e-mail or call (304) 348-4827.