From Super Bowl to… Golf course owner

I have wanted to be an owner of a golf course since I was President of the Edison Club in Rexford ,NY (Albany area) back in the 1980’s. I have tried over 15 times and came close to becoming an owner 3 times, but never got to smoke the “Big Cigar”, as Red Aerubach used to do when he was coach and General Manager of the Boston Celtics (9 time NBA Champions). When Aerubach was certain the Celtics were going to win a game, he would light a cigar before the game was over, to celebrate the victory. I am still trying to buy a golf course so I can finally light that “Big Cigar”.

I recently read a wonderful story about a former NFL player and Super Bowl player who dreamed about becoming an owner of a golf course since he was in high school. Before I expose his name and story, I would like to have you try to guess his name before I complete the article. Remember the TV show, “Name That Tune”? The contestants had to guess the name of the song in so many “notes”. Let’s play, “Name That Player” before the “11” hints below….

1) He was born and raised in Lackawanna, NY and used to sneak over a fence to play golf at a 9 hole course near his home.

2) He was a three-sport standout in high school.

3) He was a stand-out player for Youngstown State University in Ohio.

4) He was drafted in the 2nd round by the Los Angeles Rams in the draft of 1973.

5) Two years later he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and became a starter.

6) He and a teammate “leased” a 9 hole golf course near Philadelphia in 1979.

7) He lead the Eagles to the NFC Championship in 1980 but lost the Super Bowl to the Oakland Raiders.

8) In 1980 he (nickname Jaw’s ) was UPI’s NFL Player of the Year

9) He closed out his career as a backup “quarterback” for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.

10) After his football career, he was a successful color commentator for ESPN on Monday Night Football.

Joseph Raap, earning a berth in the state meet. Then LeBlanc prevailed in the 800meter run, his time of 1:58.43 the only one under two minutes in the Division II field as Mexico’s Ethan Becker (2:00.89) was runner-up.

Branden McColm ran for Cazenovia and, in the 1,600-meter run, he finished third among Division II runners in 4:44.86 as Waterville’s Logan Baker (4:32.19) won there. Killian Blouin tied for ninth in the pole vault, clearing 10 feet 6 inches.

Connor Frisbie took his all-around talents to the pentathlon where he picked up 2,698 points, putting him seventh overall and sixth among Division II athletes.

Will Austin, J.D. Dolly, Caleb Gilmore and Jake Woolbert were 12th in the 4x800 relay in 8:59.13, with J.P. Hoak, Finn Worthington, Braden Carnahan and Charlie Compeau going 47.36 seconds in the 4x100 relay to finish 19th Chittenango’s girls had Hannah Wagner, Jordan Wagner, Sophia DiGennaro and Ella Wynkoop ninth in the 4x400 in 4:34.41, with Hannah Wagner fifth in the 400 hurdles in 1:10.90 and Jordan Wagner seventh (15’4 3/4”) in the triple jump.

11) He continued to “lease” golf courses with a new partner and currently owns or manages “7” very successful courses in New Jersey and Pennsylvania under the name…Ron Jaworski Golf Management.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU

TO..”NAME THAT PLAYER”?

Jaworski is now 72 years old and still CEO of his company, but his son BJ now runs the day to day operations. Ron brags constantly about getting former teammates Randell Cunningham and Mike Quick into the game of golf. Ron and his wife Liz are also very much involved in philanthropy and supporting the communities where they own or manage the golf courses. Their “Jaw’s Youth PlayBook” family foundation has worked to improve the health and wellness of at-risk youth in the Greater Philadelphia/South Jersey area for many years…raising more than $7.5 million. Keep up the good work Mr. Jaworski.

DID YOU KNOW…

In 2015, Stevie Williams, Tiger Woods caddie, said this about a PGA Tour golfer…

“Once in a great while a player comes along who hits the ball the way it was meant to be hit. Powerful, piercing, the perfect trajectory. Of the young players I’ve see out there, one I’ve seen has that special ball flight. We were paired with him at the Open last year and from his first tee shot on, I thought, this kid is special. Obviously he’s searching to find the other parts of the puzzle, but I haven’t seen a ball flight like that since Tiger”. His name…BROOKS KOEPKA !