La Quinta, California: A busy past few days with the University of Oregon invading the desert for trustee meetings and the annual Ducks in the Desert Golf Tournament. I had never played before, but since Kathy and Woody are also in town, we joined as a team. This year's event was held at Bighorn Golf Club, just south of Palm Desert.
A reception was held The Vault the night prior to the tournament for players, and the Ducks flocked together: we met old friends - and new!
We were so happy to meet the new Oregon football coach, Dan Lanning. Very personable and very excited to be at Oregon. (It was hard for me to process Lanning is five years younger than Lisa.)
Coach Lanning wasn't the only Duck celeb in the room. Past Oregon quarterback, Justin Herbert, who now starts for the LA Chargers, was in town to play in the tournament. Long-time readers may recall our grandson just adores Herbert and basically lives in his #10 Oregon jersey. Herbert also sent Leo one of his helmets - signed and personalized - January of 2020.
When we were introduced to Mr. Herbert at the reception, I showed him the above photo on my phone and he instantly grabbed my phone and snapped a selfie for Leo! Such fun. Leo was over the moon!
Justin Herbert (a Eugene, Oregon native) is 6-6 - and 23 years old!
Okay - enough hobnobbing with sports celebrities, we had a golf match to attend. Monday morning, we were registered, received a golf cart, a fore caddy, and a box lunch. It was a shot-gun start (we started on #14), and the format was a "shamble" situation... and it was all a complicated scoring scenario with strokes given on every hole for lowly swingers such as myself. Our team may not have played well, but we had a great fun day with Kathy & Woody!
We all returned from our round just as it was getting dark - and it was COLD! After getting our clubs situated, the golfers were shuttled up to a private home (owned by one of Portland's finest families) for drinks and food as the scores were tallied. We did not win. Justin Herbert's team - consisting of two other ex-Duck football player and the new head coach - were second. We left as soon as the award ceremony finished, happy to return to our car and once-again learn how to work the heat in the car (it is usually set to air conditioning).
A great tournament and so well organized. (You know I love me some organization!) GO DUCKS! Until my next update, I remain, your over-par correspondent.