Loren Roberts had some time to think last week before committing to his offer of giving $35,000 to guarantee the survival of the boys and girls golf teams in the Elk Grove United School District for one season and decided to … double his contribution.
The Champions Tour player will give $70,000.
"I decided I didn't want this to be a one-shot deal," said Roberts, the recipient of a $1 million annunity 10 days ago for winning the tour's season-long points race and accompanying Charles Schwab Cup. "It will get them into 2013. Hopefully, they will be in a better position after three years and be able to sustain it."
The fielding of nine boys and nine girls golf teams beyond this school year was in jeopardy as part of $42 million in proposed Elk Grove district budget cuts for 2010-11. The future of swimming and diving, water polo and boys volleyball is scheduled to be decided Tuesday by the district's Board of Education. Golf is no longer at risk.
The donation will cover the stipend for the 18 coaches involved, said Jim Smrekar, the district's athletics and facilities director. It will be held in an interest-bearing account until needed. Greens fees are handled within each school's athletic department.
Smrekar has seen benefactors for individual sports during his decades of high school sports involvement, but not to this degree. Young golfers competing for college athletic scholarships will benefit, as will less-skilled players who will be introduced to the game. Up to 180 teenagers a year – 10 per team – will be helped.
"This will benefit student-athletes across the board in whatever their future pursuits may be," Smrekar said.
Roberts, 54, knows what kids who love golf were facing. His college career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo ended when the school discontinued its golf program. He hopes his donation will spur other people who enjoyed their sports when younger to contribute.
Roberts' wife, Kim, grew up in Roseville and graduated from Oakmont High School. But the $70,000 is still headed to Elk Grove thanks to the impression made on Roberts during the Charles Schwab Cup tournament in Sonoma two weekends ago by 15-year-old sophomores James Reede III, Julian Woodfork and Will Smartt. Reede attends Monterey Trail in the Elk Grove district.
What struck Roberts to act so decisively?
"Without sounding like Ann Landers or something, you can tell when someone has good manners and a good attitude," he said. "It makes you want to get involved because you know they're getting something out of golf."
Call The Bee's Steve Pajak, (916) 326-5526.
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