Lake Oconee Breeze

GREENSBORO — Bucky Dent, former major league shortstop and 1978 World Series Most Valuable Player, announced that former Atlanta Braves catcher Javy Lopez will be the special honoree at the 2015 Bucky Dent Legends on the Links golf tournament to be held on Monday, Oct. 5, at the beautiful Reynolds Plantation National course. The tournament benefits St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital.

In addition, Dent and Lopez will be joined by Major League Baseball celebrities Lou Piniella, Chris Chambliss, Ryan Klesko, Rick Cerone and Mike Fischlin.

Legends on the Links will start on Sunday, Oct. 4, with a cocktail party featuring the baseball celebrities from 5-8 p.m. at the beautiful Sandy Creek Barn. You do not have to be registered to play in the tournament to attend the cocktail party and meet the celebrities. Tickets are available for $65.

The Tournament begins on Monday, Oct. 5, with registration opening at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and a shotgun start at the National Course at Reynolds Plantation. The 18-hole tournament, featuring a 4-person scramble format, concludes with a dinner honoring Javy Lopez. There are still a few team spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For cocktail party tickets or team registration call Crysty Odom, 706-389-3926 or go online to www.web-conversions.com/buckydent/oct-2015-reynolds-plantation-tournament/.

“Javy Lopez was inducted in the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame last year and still remains one of the best catchers of Major League Baseball,” said Dent, a property owner and community member in Greene County for many years. “We are happy to benefit Good Samaritan Hospital again this year. We are proud of the facility and the impact that it’s making in the area.

“Reynolds Plantation is the perfect venue for this event,” Dent added. “The volunteers and staff did an outstanding job last year. We are looking forward to a bigger and better tournament this year.”

“Last year’s inaugural tournament was a huge success,” said Rick Wolfert, chair of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board. “We are proud to be the beneficiary of this tournament and we appreciate Bucky and his business partner Larry Hoskin for their continued support of the hospital and the community.”

Here is additional information about the baseball celebrities committed to the 2015 Legends on the Links tournament:

• Javier “Javy” Lopez: 2015 honoree is best known for his work with the Atlanta Braves. Lopez was named to the National League All-Star team on several occasions and had his best season in 2003, with a batting average of .328, 43 home runs and 109 RBI’s.

• Bucky Dent: Dent earned two World Series rings as a starting shortstop with the New York Yankees and was voted Word Series MVP in 1978. He has a second home at Reynolds Plantation.

• Rick Cerone: Cerone played 17 years in the major leagues as a catcher, including tours with the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.

• Chris Chambliss: Chambliss was the American League Rookie of the Year in 1971 and hit the series-winning home run in the 1976 AL Championship game. He won the Gold Glove in 1978 and earned two Word Series rings with the Yankees.

• Mike Fischlin: Fischlin played 10 seasons in the majors as in infielder, including time with the Houston Astros, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. He is a full-time Reynolds Plantation resident.

• Ryan Klesko: Klesko played 13 years in the majors with the Braves, Padres and Giants. In 2001, he was named to the National League All-Star team and hit .286 with 30 home runs and 113 RBIs for the season. His .525 slugging percentage ranks fourth all-time among the Braves’ career leaders.

• Lou Piniella: “Sweet Lou” played five seasons with the Kansas City Royals and 11 years with New York Yankees and has led five teams as manager. Piniella is ranked 14th for all-time managerial wins.