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First annual Jordan Farmar Celebrity Golf Classic and Gala on July 19-20 will raise funds for his Foundation

Los Angeles Lakers point guard played golf during postseason to stay relaxed and maintain competitive edge.

BY ELI MILLERPublished: July, 2009

Farmar (left) with his mother, Mindy Kolani, at the Lakers victory parade in Los Angeles last month. Baker runs the Jordan Farmar Foundation (COURTESY: Wasserman Media Group).
For an NBA player, playoffs time is usually the most physically and emotionally draining time of the entire season.

To stay relaxed and focused during the postseason, Lakers point guard Jordan Farmar sought solace on the golf course.

Farmar, a Los Angeles native who has competed at every major level of basketball in his hometown, said he played golf “five or six times” during the Lakers’ run to their 15th NBA title.

“Early in the playoffs, when I wasn’t playing at all, I would go play [golf] to keep my competitive juices flowing,” said the third-year NBA point guard, who was drafted by the Lakers in 2006 after a two-year stint at UCLA. “I enjoy it — it’s relaxing, it’s competitive and it keeps me even sharper when I get back on the court. The rim just looks like a huge hole.”

Though not an avid golfer, the 22-year-old is active enough in the sport to use it as a means for supporting one of his most cherished causes. On July 19-20, he is hosting the inaugural Jordan Farmar Celebrity Golf Classic and Gala, which will raise funds for his Foundation.

Started in 2008 and run by Farmar’s mother, Mindy Kolani, the Jordan Farmar Foundation seeks to assist children who are less fortunate — particularly patients at the Mattel Children’s Hospital at UCLA.

“I wanted to give back to the youth of the L.A. community. I didn’t start off having everything. I know how hard it can be for the kids who are less fortunate and the kids over at the Mattel Children’s Hospital,” Farmar said. “I think we can do some big things together.”

Many celebrities have been confirmed for the two-day event, including actor and famous courtside Lakers attendee Jack Nicholson, NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, comedian George Lopez and a range of former professional athletes, including former Lakers Byron Scott and Norm Nixon.

The festivities begin Sunday, July 19 with a gala on the rooftop of 1010 Wilshire, which has been voted the top roof in downtown Los Angeles. Guests can bid on unique memorabilia and event packages in an auction with proceeds going to the Jordan Farmar Foundation. Admittance to the gala is included for those participating in the golf tournament, though members of the general public not wishing to play golf can still attend for $100.

The golf tournament will be Monday, July 20 at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, the annual site of the Chevron World Challenge hosted by Tiger Woods. Tee times begin at noon. Registration includes golf and cart as well as lunch and drinks after the round with fellow golfers and celebrities.

“I want to do something where the people who did it say they had a good experience and it was well worth it,” said Farmar.

There are only a few spots left for the golf tournament and gala. For more information on the Jordan Farmar Celebrity Golf Classic, call (310) 473-5445 or visit the tournament page.