Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Celebrating the 11th Annual Tommy Lasorda Golf Open, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame hosted a sell-out tournament on June 4 at the prestigious Royal Fox Country Club in St. Charles. The tournament’s namesake, Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda, was in attendance as well as many other celebrities and athletes, most of whom are inductees of the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.
Guests included former MLB Player and Manager Bobby Valentine; WBA Lightweight Champion Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini; former boxer and current commentator Paulie Malignaggi; Blackhawks legend Denis Savard; former NFL stars Vince Ferragamo, Dan Pastorini, Phil Villapiano and Ed Marinaro; former Chicago White Sox player Eric Soderholm; and Chicago news personalities Peggy Kusinski and Mike Adamle.
The tournament was chaired by Eddie Greco of Greco & Sons. Under Eddie’s leadership, guests were treated not only to an abundance of delicious food grilled throughout tournament play but also entertained by actor and singer Gianni Russo at dinner, with Ron Onesti serving as master of ceremonies for the evening.
United Automobile Insurance Company was presenting sponsor for the 11th consecutive year. Other sponsors included Greco & Sons, Anthony Marano Company, Tony’s Fresh Market, Flood Brothers, Cheese Merchants, Arbor Investments, Country Delight, NAI Hiffman, Tukaiz and American Airlines.
Also in attendance were Sally Hazelgrove of the Crusher’s Club, a boxing gym in Chicago’s Englewood Neighborhood, whose mission is to get kids off the street and provide them with a healthy alternative to gang involvement. The NIASHF has partnered with and supported the organization throughout the years.
The NIASHF and Golf Committee are putting plans together for next year’s 12th Annual Tommy Lasorda Golf Open, which will again be hosted at Royal Fox Country Club next June.
— Provided by the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame
