After numerous challenges and date changes, the first Derrick Brooks Covenant Care Classic golf tournament happened on a sun-splashed day November 29 at Pensacola Country Club.
What a journey. Twice moved in 2020 by the ongoing coronavirus, then twice rescheduled by weather, including a tropical storm, the fun-filled tournament finally got a break with beautiful weather.
There were 17 foursomes participating and joined by 10 celebrities. Pro Football Hall of Famer member Derrick Brooks, a Pensacola native, traveled that day from Tampa with former Major League Baseball superstar Gary Sheffield, former Florida Gators star receiver Reidel Anthony and former Florida State star receiver Kevin Knox, both of whom went on to NFL careers.
Brooks’ group was joined in Pensacola by local celebrities and former NFL stars Josh Sitton and Fred Robbins, along with former MLB player Greg Litton, beloved golf pro Adrian Stills, inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame, Jim Nagy, the executive director of the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and Pensacola sports television legend Dan Shugart.
The participants were treated to a catered breakfast by sponsor Chick-Fil-A, and received gift bags at registration provided by presenting sponsor Covenant Care.
On the course, the players were provided free beverages and snacks, then everyone gathered in the Pensacola Country Club clubhouse for a buffet lunch, door prizes and the top three teams received gift prizes.
The tournament was an 18-hole, select-shot, scramble format with a par maximum on each hole. It was played at the oldest private golf club in Florida, founded in 1902. Brooks is a club member.
The money raised was distributed by Derrick Brooks Charities Inc. to various local endeavors in Pensacola. Brooks is the sponsor of NFL Flag Pensacola, a popular youth-flag football league now going into its 7th year of introducing area youths to the game of football.
See more about the event here:
https://www.milb.com/pensacola/news/blue-wahoos-derrick-brooks
