Justin and Kourtney Turner hosted the fifth annual Justin Turner Golf Classic on Monday, with the prestigious Sherwood Country Club playing host to 140 participants in another sold-out event put on by the couple.
Proceeds benefitted The Dream Center, where the Justin Turner Foundation helps support veterans through a men’s floor and women’s home, as well as local hospitals. Late last year the Turners held their first Winter Wonderland at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
“We’ll continue to get into hospitals, make relationships with kids who are battling these brutal illnesses and diseases, and hopefully be a positive impact on their lives,” Turner said.
Each participant received an Adidas bag stuffed with items, golf shoes from the brand, a custom Justin Turner Foundation golf wedge and co-branded Justin Turner Foundation/Baseballism cap.
Austin Barnes, Cody Bellinger, Joe Kelly, Clayton Kershaw, Joc Pederson and Ross Stripling were among the Dodgers on hand. Orel Hershiser, Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley also participated.
“That’s the cool part,” Turner said of the support from teammates. “I know a lot of guys during the season show up for everyone’s charity events. When guys are in town and they don’t go, you’re kind of like, ‘What the heck? No excuses.’
“But for us, in the offseason, out here in Sherwood, a lot of guys were in town for FanFest, but a lot of guys also pushed their flights back or extended their stays to be able to come out and participate.”
While Turner appreciated teammates supporting his and Kourtney’s efforts, he also hoped the event would serve as a springboard for others to become similarly committed to giving back to the community.
“Other than trying to impact peoples’ lives and lift them up, I think one of the important things we try to do is help guys realize their platform and the capabilities that they have to be able to get out in the community, get involved and have an impact on someone’s life,” Turner said.
“It’s good to have them out here and hopefully open some eyes and make them anxious and want to start something of their own.”
Kershaw is among the Dodgers who already carries forward a personal charity — Kershaw’s Challenge — but he reveled in attending Turner’s golf tournament for the first time. “J.T., when you talk about work in the community, different things he does for the city of L.A. and just what he means, he’s the embodiment of the Dodgers,” Kershaw said.
“To get to come out here and do this, he’s come out and supported my events every year, he’s a great teammate. He continues to support us and what we do, and we just feel like we need to do it for him. Not to mention the causes they’re giving to. There’s a lot of great things he’s doing.”
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