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 Vince Ferragamo still remembers how good it felt when he was first invited to participate in Frank Sinatra’s annual golf tournament. The former Rams quarterback was thrilled with the possibility of teeing it up with stars such as Kirk Douglas, Clint Eastwood, Joe Mantegna, Buddy Greco, Don Meredith and Harmon Killebrew. “How could you turn down Frank?” said Ferragamo, recalling the invitation of 10 years ago. Ol’ Blue Eyes died in 1998, but the Frank Sinatra Countrywide Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament at Indian Wells Country Club is still going strong. This year’s event is February 24-25, and it marks the 18th year the tournament and its social functions have been held to raise money for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. The center provides counseling for children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused, with an emphasis placed on preventing and breaking the cycle of abuse in families. “Frank and I always felt that it is an adult’s responsibility to protect children,” said Barbara Sinatra, Frank’s widow. “If not for the Children’s Center, abused children might have no place to turn for help.” When Sinatra started the tournament, it was mainly his golfing buddies who attended. But the event has grown through the years, with more than 70 sports and entertainment celebrities expected to participate this year. The list includes Michael Bolton, Pat Boone, Doug DeCinces, Tommy Davis, Rick Dees, Steve Garvey, Bobby Grich, Mickey Jones, Fred Lynn, Lee Majors and Tanya Roberts. “This is a really fun event and it’s a fraternity,” said Ferragamo, who lives in Orange and is president of Anaheim Hills-based Touchdown Real Estate and End Zone Mortgage. “It’s a chance to see friends who you might only see just once a year, because a lot of these people come from all over the country. There’s a lot of very good people who are giving their time and money to this cause.” Veteran actor Tony Lo Bianco has been playing in the tournament since it started, and this year he’ll be co-hosting the event with Barbara Sinatra. “Barbara does a terrific job with this tournament, and she’s a great gal — I love her,” Lo Bianco said. “We’ll have a great time.” Amateur golfers who want to join the fun can pay entry fees between $4,500 and $10,000, which entitles them to a spot in the tournament as well as gifts and admission to other weekend events. Amateur foursomes are matched with a celebrity, and participants have the option to form their own teams. Ferragamo and Lo Bianco are consistently involved in charity fund-raising through golf. For the past 23 years, Ferragamo has hosted a celebrity golf tournament to benefit the Special Olympics. Lo Bianco, who has acted in films ranging from the “The French Connection” to “The Engagement Ring,” has played in golf events that benefit the American Cancer Society, New York Police Department and women and children at risk of homelessness and abuse. “The joy of life,” Lo Bianco said, “is doing something for somebody else.” For more information about participating in or attending the tournament, call (760) 674-8447, or visit www.sinatragolf.com. |
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