Brock Lesnar has tried his hand at many a venture.
A national champion wrestler for Minnesota in 2000, Lesnar was a member of World Wrestling Entertainment for several years and even tried out for the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings.
But that’s not all. In fact, on Monday, the jack of all sports is leading another endeavor ” golf.
The 18th annual Brock Lesnar Golf Classic will be held Monday at Gopher Hills Golf Course in Miesville, Minn.
What might be somewhat deceiving about that title is the “18th annual” part, especially since Lesnar’s last year as a Gophers wrestler was only five years ago.
But while the Classic has indeed been going on for 18 years, Minnesota’s wrestling program decided to name the tournament in Lesnar’s honor just last year as a thank you for all of his support.
“I don’t think it’s even a question that he feels obligated to give back,” tournament organizer Gordie Morgan said. “He appreciates what we do, and he obviously got a lot out of our wrestling program.”
Lesnar was not available for comment.
Morgan said that in addition to financial support, Lesnar also helps promote the program through events such as the Classic and even helps out in the wrestling room with Gophers heavyweight Cole Konrad.
“I think it’s great anytime that someone comes up in your program and they make it big, that they don’t forget where they came from,” Gophers coach J Robinson said. “And when they have different things ” whether it be power, prestige or resources ” that they share them with the people that helped them get there.”
The main purpose of the Classic is to provide a chance for boosters, alumni and others to get a chance to meet current Gophers wrestlers and coaches in an environment “more sociable” than the arena, Morgan said.
Teams will be formed randomly, although Morgan said a participant could request a
specific current wrestler to be teamed up with for the best ball-style tournament.
After a day on the links, there will be a dinner, followed by a program to talk about the golf outing and the wrestling program.
Morgan said approximately 80 people are expected to golf alongside approximately three dozen Gophers wrestlers and coaches, including former Gophers All-Americans Tim Hartung, Chad Kraft and Lesnar.
“We’re kind of a family, and he just wants to be a bigger part of it,” Morgan said. “And the way he can do that is through donations and through helping with events like this.”
Robinson goes to Hall
Robinson will have to fly back home Sunday to participate in the tournament.
The reason he’s flying out: Robinson will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this weekend in Oklahoma City.
Robinson just finished his 19th season at Minnesota and has a 278-101-3 dual meet record. He coached the Gophers’ back-to-back national championship teams in 2001 and 2002 and also was an assistant for four U.S. Olympic teams.
As a competitor, Robinson won four national titles and competed at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.
“When you think of things you’ve done in your life, if you go on a vertical line, one thing has to be better than the others,” Robinson said. “But they’re all better in different ways. They’re all special, and I don’t think it’s fair to compare one to the others. It’s a culmination of you.”
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