The fourth-annual Governor?s Cup Golf Classic was held Thursday at the Cardinal Club in Simpsonville.
The event included a luncheon and news conference with Kentucky Coach Rich Brooks and Louisville Coach Bobby Petrino. Larry Columbia and Greg Osborn of Kroger made the annual scholarship presentation of $10,000 to each school. In addition, former great players Bob Gain (UK) and Ernie Green (U of L) were honored. The golf tournament benefited two charitable causes ? the Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) and the Trust for Life Organ Donation Program, which is sponsored by the Kentucky Circuit Clerks.
Listed below are some quotes from Coach Brooks:
Opening Statement:
?It?s good to be here this year. I?m probably as encouraged about this year?s team as I have been in the three years since arriving at Kentucky. We have a young team. We are still short on numbers, but I?m really looking forward to this season and seeing the returning players come in tomorrow, as well as the new players that are joining us. This is always a great time in college football as hope springs eternal on the opening day of training camp. I believe this is going to be one of our better editions on the field and we hope we are competitive in this year?s Governor?s Cup game.?
On the future of the U of L/UK game:
?I know we are playing September 4 and that?s my focus and interest right now. I?m interested in continuing to play this game. I think it?s a great series and I?m sure the details of when this game will be played will be worked out in the future. I assume it will get worked out pretty quick because this is last year of the current contract.?
On Kentucky quarterback Andre? Woodson:
?Andre? has to prove on the field and in games that he is the type of player that I believe he is going to show. He had one of the more productive springs of any quarterback I?ve ever coached. He is the type of guy you are looking for at 6-5, 230 pounds. He is mobile enough, has a strong arm, and he had a very impressive spring. Now we have to go out and play other people before I can lay claim to the fact that I think he going to be a great quarterback. You have to go out on the field and earn that right and I think in the three years remaining in his career, he going to have a real impact on Kentucky football.?
On Louisville?s football team:
?The last two years they have been one of the best, if not the best, offensive teams in college football. Last year?s edition was outstanding. They ran up huge scores on everybody. They were able to move the ball and score at will against all their opponents. Without a little bit of bad luck, they would have had an undefeated season. I watched the Miami (Fla.) game and it was a great game that they probably should have won. I think that game made a statement about where their program is right now and we have to work really hard to be a competitive team. They are an outstanding offensive team and have tremendous speed on defense. I sure Brian Brohm is ready to establish himself as one of the great quarterbacks in Louisville history and they have had some really good ones.?
Players Report on Friday: The players officially report for the 2005 season on Friday, Aug. 5.
