GOLF SCENE:Saul’s efforts to assist now personal

For the past 16 years, Rich Saul has been helping out with the Orange County Golf Invitational, but for the past eight, his efforts have come with more meaning.

Saul, a former Pro Bowl center for the Los Angeles Rams, has been battling cancer for the past eight years. The disease hasn’t just taken a toll on his body, but also on his family. Two years ago, Saul’s twin brother, Ron, died of prostate cancer.

Back in September, Saul’s older brother died of colon cancer.

This year the Orange County Invitational, which is annually hosted by the American Cancer Society, has earmarked funds for colon cancer. The golf event is expected to raise nearly $200,000. Saul continues to work and help out.

“It’s a great tournament,” said Saul, who serves as the tournament’s honorary chair. “It’s all about reaching out.”

Saul said there are openings available for the tournament that starts at noon on Monday at Santa Ana Country Club. The tournament, which had been known as the Corporate Challenge Cup, is better than just any other golf event, Saul said.

“It’s a first-class tournament,” Saul said. “It’s not just a tournament that gives you a shirt or a hat or a sleeve of balls. There is so much more to it.”

When the tournament comes, Saul expects to be there. Though he has been fighting cancer, he continually tries to live life to the fullest. In March, he was honored by the American Cancer Society with the patient courage award, which is given to the cancer patient or survivor who has shown exceptional courage in the fight with cancer.

“I’m hanging in there,” Saul said last week. “For me, everyday is a blessing.”

For information on the Orange County Invitational or to make a donation, visit www.corporatechallegecup.org or contact tournament organizer Gayle Youngs at (949) 567-0626 or via e-mail at [email protected].

JONES CUP DATE SET

There’s one word the winners might say at this year’s Jones Cup, which will be at Big Canyon Country Club on Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.

“Aloha.”

The two best amateurs from the Jones Cup will qualify for the National Mercedes Benz Championships at Kapalua, Hawaii, Jan. 3 to Jan. 8.

There, the duo will represent Fletcher Jones Motorcars. All expenses are paid by Mercedes Benz

Aside from that sweet deal, bragging rights will still be up for grabs in the seventh annual golf event that pits the top players from the four area private golf clubs.

Each club’s team is made up of five golfers, usually two club pros, a men’s champ, a women’s champ and the top senior men’s golfer at the club. They compete in a best-ball format.

Last year, Mesa Verde Country Club won its first Jones Cup title since 2000, the inaugural year of the event.

Mesa Verde edged Santa Ana Country Club by one stroke and ended Big Canyon’s two-year possession of the Cup. Big Canyon has won four of the titles in the past seven years.

Last year, Big Canyon finished fourth, so the host club will have a lot to prove come August.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or at [email protected].