THE FRESH EXPRESS CLASSIC AT TPC STONEBRAE
Winners Everywhere

The PGA Nationwide Tour produced three winners in April 2010 at the Fresh Express Classic at Stonebrae Country Club in Hayward: Kevin Chappell, who shot a tournament record 20-under 264; Pro Football Hall of Fame legend Jerry Rice, who hosted the Fresh Express Classic Pro-Am golf tournament and entered his first-ever career title as a professional golfer; and, finally, the East Bay community in Northern California!

Fresno native and winner Kevin Chappell shot a tournament record 20-under 264, while compiling an overall driving distance for the week of over 300 yards.

In a week with no recent memory rival, Steve Miller and staff at the Stonebrae course in the Hayward hills helped to execute a flawless golf tournament with a phenomenal group of volunteers, a host of pro-am golfers and winners at every turn. The weather could not have been better and even the wind cooperated. The course was in perfect condition and the amateur golfers were all excited with the extra activities planned for them and their professional partners during the week. Miller said: "The recognition of Jerry Rice's participation clearly enhanced our second year of hosting the Nationwide Tour event at Stonebrae Country Club. The professional management of the PGA Tour's personnel and the wide variety of venues made for a great experience for the spectators and club membership alike. Perfect weather for all four days, strong sponsorship and live broadcast on the Golf Channel brought thousands of Bay Area citizens to our site and they were not disappointed with their experience during the tournament."

Chappell, a Fresno native, only gained full status this year on the Tour. Last year he won a little over $70,000 through six tournaments and finished 80th on the Nationwide Tour Money List. In this tournament, his first major victory, he walked away with a hard-earned $108,000. The win has moved him all the way to second place on the Nationwide Money List with $151,021. At the end of the season the top 25 money winners will earn PGA Tour cards, so he's well on his way. And we'll keep an eye on him as he continues to represent California in the PGA.

Tournament officials have announced that Rice will return in 2011 to serve as the tournament host and a professional competitor in the event. Rice, 47, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this summer. The former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver shot scores of 83-76 but missed the 36-hole cut. Rice will once again headline the Jerry Rice Celebrity Pro-Am, which will be held on Wednesday of tournament week. "My main goal has been to help the tournament be successful, and I am happy that we have been able to do that," said Rice. "I loved working with the Nationwide Tour, the players and all the people here at Stonebrae. I can't wait to do it again."

When it comes to hosting a party, this was more than just another golf tournament. The Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae delivered world-class golf in a festive atmosphere that was designed with the community in mind and lasted for a whole week. On Tuesday there was "Family Day," where various youth groups came to get an up-close-and-personal with the professional golfers. Also on Tuesday there was a Celebrity Shootout and a fan-friendly exhibition on a five-hole loop near the clubhouse. And on top of all that, Tuesday evening there was the Tournament Pairings Party and the Phil Hellmuth Charity Poker Tournament at the Claremont Hotel, which raised about $50,000, a tidy sum of money for the primary beneficiary. Not bad for a day and night of fun and games.

On Wednesday, Rice hosted a celebrity pro-am and, because of his own widespread friendships, he attracted new, familiar and different celebrities. Though I didn't glimpse them, two of the Sports Leader KNBR Radio hosts were announcing with speakers on a golf cart, following Jerry and friends, according to a blog from Phil Hellmuth.

Phil, in his own unique style, also shared, "My sister Molly and I were there at the San Francisco 49ers game the night Jerry passed the 100 touchdown mark. She admires his grace on the field and I'm just happy to know that he is also a nice guy!"

In addition to Oakland Raiders stars like Fred Biletnikoff, Tim Brown and George Buehler, there was Jeff Clark (surfing), Ronnie Lott and Dwight Clark (49ers), Vern Glen (KRON TV), Drew and Nick Lachey (singers/actors), and from Las Vegas poker fame, Hellmuth, who had hosted the poker tournament the night before. There were many, many former NFL, Raiders and 49ers players, as well as major league baseball players, Olympic and broadcast stars, snowboarding and other athletes, far too many to mention.

Thursday the PGA Tour opened back at Stonebrae. The Bay Area pros included veterans Jeff Brehaut of Los Altos and Todd Fischer of Pleasanton, plus rookies Nathan Smith of Santa Cruz and James Hahn, who lives in Alameda, along with, of course, Rice. After two rounds (Thursday and Friday), the cut was made and the final pairings arranged, leading to Sunday's final round of excitement that had the lead changing all the way to the 18th hole. The entire four-day event was covered by the Golf Channel and frequently focused on the Bay Area, the beautiful weather and the friendly staff and fans. How very lucky we in the Bay Area are to have been part of such a dynamic and successful event. So you see, there were three winners, and while Rice didn't make the cut on Saturday, he was clearly a winner in my book. Be sure to tune in next spring for his return to the Nationwide PGA Tour and the Fresh Express Classic at TPC Stonebrae in the hills high above the city of Hayward.

"I was born with a very special gift that took years to develop, nurture, and refine. Every day I try to do something to reach my goals." — Jerry Rice

Special thanks to Ed Vyeda of Hunter Public Relations and Steve Miller of Stonebrae Golf Course for their helpful assist.