By Terry Ross
Golf trips are usually fun—but when you add an exceptional tournament to the mix—then you have a memorable travel experience.
The Anthony Anderson Celebrity Golf Classic presented by Lexus that was played in May at the exclusive Bighorn Golf Club in Palm Desert is one that you won’t forget—and for anyone visiting this golf oasis in the Southern California desert in the late spring—it is an event like no other and one that you will leave saying this was special.
Anderson–the Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor who stared in ABC’s multi-award nominated sitcom “black-ish” for eight seasons and is hosting his third season of the ABC game show “To Tell the Truth” –knows how to put on a show and his quick wit was on full display during the two-day event that is produced by Bill Hammond and his entertainment company.
The tournament, Anderson’s fifth annual, helped raise funds for The Anthony Anderson Family Foundation that benefits: Children’s Hospital LA, Boys & Girls Club of America, The Black Academy of Arts & Letters, Los Angeles Mission, Compton Jr Posse Youth Equestrians, Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, Children Striving Together, Compton Initiative and Compassion for Teen Life, Inc.
The fun and the laughter began with the Sunday VIP Pairings Party at the Canyon SteakHouse at Bighorn that included an impressive turnout of legendary athletes and celebrities that included: Cedric The Entertainer, Don Cheadle, CC Sabathia, Roland Martin, Vince Coleman, Marcus Allen, Norm Nixon, Seth Joyner, Galen Gering, Dondre Whitfield, Ozzie Smith, David Justice, Jack Wagner, Mike Woodson, Sterling Sharp and many more.
Guests enjoyed a “Thank You Lounge” created by GBK Brand Bar where they received items like: PHASE Clothing, Yasso Butta, Murad Skincare, Vacations through Sail Rock Resort and Lush African Safari and much more.
The night was filled with prizes, music and lots of laughs—not to mention the private VIP Celebrity Cigar Lounge that set the stage for Monday’s main event that was even better.
The exclusive private Canyons Course at Bighorn has hosted professional events–and it is no wonder why this Tom Fazio-designed layout is generally regarded as one of the best among more than 100 in the desert area and one of the more scenic layouts that you will find with the many lakes, streams, palm trees, rock outcroppings and wildflower blooms.
As it winds through the Palm Desert canyons overlooking the Palm Springs valley, the Canyon Course is a challenge for players of all levels, but sports ample-wide fairways–but demanding greens that will test even the best players.
The casual scramble format of the Anderson Celebrity Classic was made for an event like this—fun golf with more food than you can eat in a week, prizes at every hole, a massage station at the turn—not to mention enough laughs to fill the entire valley!
The Post Golf Reception and Awards dinner at the Canyon SteakHouse continued the fun vibe of the day—and again the presentation was memorable with Anderson’s entertaining remarks that kept the crowd engaged.
Hammond Entertainment Productions puts on a dynamic show for the Anderson tournaments—and has another event that should be inviting to those looking for a summer golf experience in Northern California—the 2nd Annual Napa Live Experience.
This event will bring together golf, wine, food and music concert in a Celebrity Classic hosted by the Meritage Resort & Spa in the Napa Valley region—June 25 and 26. The Silverado Resort and Spa will host the Golf Classic portion of the event in this beautiful wine country region on Monday the 26th.
For more information about these events and Hammond Entertainment, go to: https://www.hammondentertainment.com
