Virgen: Another Newport Harbor tradition
In just its second year, Newport Harbor’s Long Grey Line Golf Tournament and Fundraiser has established tradition.
What else would you expect from the high school’s football program that has plenty of tradition?
The Sailors’ culture at this new fundraiser is to simply have fun. It’s a reunion of sorts where alumni reconnect and share stories of the past. Some of those stories change a bit and become extraordinarily exaggerated over the years. But that just adds to the fun.
The event begins with beers and tacos near the putting green at Newport Beach Golf Course. This seems to be a tradition, too.
The event, that took place on Friday, ended with more fun, and more stories in the Tee Room. It’s what was envisioned by Al Gaddis and Clarke Smith, two Newport Harbor football alumni, along with a great friend of the program, Mark Adams.
They created the idea for the golf tournament fundraiser. They wanted a way for alumni to get together in a casual, fun setting and give back to the program they hold very dear.
“I don’t think any of us really knew how much of a fraternity [Newport Harbor football] really is until recently because of this [event],” said Gaddis, who starred for the Sailors in the late 70s. “You might see one guy from the past at a football game. But here, there is nothing like this, where you get the opportunity at one time to see so many others.”
Close to 100 golfers, including Newport Harbor Principal Sean Boulton, Vice Principal Mike Sciacca and Athletic Director Mike Zimmerman, participated in the nine-hole event, that’s not to be taken seriously.
The tournament rules only allow for three clubs to be used by each player, and the longest drive is with a pitching wedge supplied by the golf course.
“It’s a great event,” said Coach Jeff Brinkley, who participated in the event along with his coaching staff. “It’s really a lot of fun. Last year we had a great time. It’s fun seeing these guys. A lot of the old players come back … It’s a great deal. It just shows the tradition that’s involved in our program.”
Brinkley has certainly helped instill that tradition as he enters his 30th year as head coach of Newport Harbor football.
Later this summer, the Newport Harbor football boosters have planned an event to honor him. It’s called, “Coach Brinkley’s Tar Ball,” to celebrate Brinkley’s dedication and service to the Sailors’ football program on Aug. 15.
They will also celebrate Brinkley’s success. He has compiled a 233-111-3 record with the Sailors, that includes eight CIF Southern Section finals appearances, three resulting in titles.
You would think that would’ve been enough and he could’ve retired after 29 years at Newport Harbor.
Did coming back for a 30th season surprise some people?
“Not really,” Brinkley said. “I feel good. I’m having fun out there. Enjoying it. We have a great group coming back. We’ve had a good spring. I’m as excited as ever. I never planned on getting out … I’m not going to get out of the coaching end of it for awhile.”
The alumni were excited to see Brinkley. You could say they started his celebration earlier than the planned event on Aug. 15.
“It’s amazing that he’s been there for 30 years and it’s incredible that 30 years of kids have been able to be under his tutelage,” said Beau Ralphs (Class of 1993), who was a standout defensive lineman for the Sailors. “I remember he would get in there with no pads on and hit with us on the line. We have such great memories. [Brinkley and his coaching staff are] a figure in your life that never goes away. The discipline they give you. The hard work they instill in you. At that age it’s so important as a kid. They give you a work ethic as a young man.”
Ralphs participated in the golf event for the first time. He was invited by his friend Bill Johns, who was a tough noseguard for the Sailors in his day and helped the Tars go undefeated in 1994.
Johns said Ralphs took him under his wing when he was a freshman at Newport Harbor, and then again when he was a freshman when the two reunited at the University of Arizona.
Ralphs lives in Arizona, while Johns resides in Costa Mesa. It was fun to reunite and catch up with other friends. They plan to do it again next year.
Zimmerman participated in the event for the first time and enjoyed to see the camaraderie.
“It’s a testament to Newport Harbor, its tradition and its history, and the Long Grey Line, how far it goes back,” Zimmerman said of the event. “These people love Newport Harbor football and they will do anything to support it. As a relatively newbie, it’s pretty exciting to see and a great thing to be a part of.”