TRUCKEE, Calif. -- The Second Annual Gene Upshaw Memorial Golf Classic (GUMGC) brought some big names in the NFL to The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing in honor of sports legend, Gene Upshaw. Preliminary proceeds for this year's charity tournament are estimated to again be over $100,000, which will benefit Tahoe Forest Health System and provide a new source of funding for pancreatic cancer research through the Tahoe Institute for Rural Health Research.

The annual charity event honors the life of Gene Upshaw, who died of pancreatic cancer on August 21, 2008 at Tahoe Forest Hospital in Truckee, Calif. at the age of 63.Gene was a founding member of The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing, so the venue is most appropriate for this annual event. The shamble format pairing for the event paired an NFL player with a four-person team. Participation in the event also included a player's reception pairings party on Sunday, July 11 at The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe.

At the players' reception Sunday evening, Terri Upshaw, Gene's widow, presented a check in the amount of $58,000 to Dr. Thomas Semrad, who is with the Division of Hematology and Oncology at the University of California at Davis Medical Center. Tahoe Institute for Rural Health Research selected Dr. Semrad as the first partner recipient to receive funding to further research for pancreatic cancer

"The proceeds of this tournament will allow the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation to continue to explore creative opportunities and solutions that result in excellence in community health care," said Martha Simon, chief development officer with Tahoe Forest Health System. "We plan to grow the event every year thanks to our partners and sponsors, especially The NFL Players Association and Tahoe Mountain Club."

This year the GUMGC welcomed NFL Hall of Famers Ronnie Lott, Marcus Allen, Fred Biletnikoff and Mike Haynes, who joined numerous returning players to honor their long time friend and inspiration.

"It was hard to believe that this was only the second annual event. The entire day was wonderful; you would have thought they all had been doing the event for years," said Ronnie Lott. "I throw my own charity event, so I know what it takes to organize a successful tournament like this one."

Returning NFL players included: Eric Bjornson - Dallas Cowboys (95-00), New England Patriots(00); Ernie Conwell - St. Louis Rams (96-02), New Orleans Saints (03-06); Raymond Chester - Oakland Raiders (70-72, 78-81), Baltimore Colts (73-77); Tom Flores - Oakland Raiders (60-66), Buffalo Bills(67-69), Kansas City Chiefs (69); Nolan Harrison - Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders (91-96), Pittsburgh Steelers (97-99), Washington Redskins(00); Mike Kenn - Atlanta Falcons(78-94); Rod Martin - Oakland Raiders and Los Angeles Raiders (77-88); Sam McCullum - Minnesota Vikings (74-75, 82-83), Seattle Seahawks (76-81); Chester McGlockton - Los Angeles and Oakland Raiders (92-97), Kansas City Chiefs (98-00), Denver Broncos(01-02), New York Jets (03).

"Coming to Tahoe for this event and seeing all of Gene's friends gather to honor him for a special cause is beyond words," said Terri Upshaw, Gene's widow. "Tahoe held a special place in Gene's heart, and he had a true passion for golf. If we can keep giving back to Tahoe Health System and pancreatic cancer research, Gene will continue to live on."

Gene Upshaw served as the Executive Director of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) from June 1983 to August 2008, after a successful 16-year career as a player. During that time, Upshaw worked diligently at enhancing, protecting and defending the individual rights of professional football players throughout the National Football League. Upshaw also served as Chairman of National Football League Players Incorporated.

A perennial All-Pro offensive guard for the Oakland Raiders, Upshaw was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his first year of eligibility. He played in 217 league games and appeared in six Pro Bowls. He was named Lineman of the Year in the AFC in 1973 and 1974. In 1977, he was voted top lineman in the NFL, and runner-up for that honor in 1980. Upshaw is the only player in NFL history to play in three Super Bowls in three different decades—in the 60's, 70's and 80's.

"The NFLPA is in to stay on as a long time sponsor of this spectacular event," said Richard Berthelsen, general counsel for the NFL Players Association. "Coming to Tahoe and being with Gene's family and friends is like being with him."

"The NFLPA is proud to be a sponsor of the Gene Upshaw Memorial Golf Classic," said DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFLPA. "The Classic honors a great man, and it supports a very important cause in raising funds for pancreatic cancer research. We look forward to watching this annual event grow."

"For any event, this one is outstanding. Knowing it was only in its second year made it even more impressive," said Marcus Allen. "The location is beautiful with pristine course conditions-great event!"

The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing is an 18-hole championship course designed by Peter Jacobsen and Jim Hardy. It is one of two golf courses in Truckee, Calif., operated by Tahoe Mountain Club (TMC); the other is Old Greenwood G.C. Gray's Crossing is a 700-acre, single-family home community with more than 400 acres of permanent open space with six miles of hiking, biking and nature trails. For more information about The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing, please visit www.golfintahoe.com.

Sponsors for this year's event included: The NFL Players Association; The Golf Club at Gray's Crossing; The Ritz-Carlton Highlands, Lake Tahoe; Dewey & LeBoeuf, LLP; Northstar at Tahoe; EA SPORTS; Matson and Isom; Blase Design; Silver Oak; Gatorade; Pepsi and Reebok.

Contact:
Margaret Skillicorn, Paragon PR
margaret@paragonpr.net
530.550.7578