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Show The Summer Chronicle - Page Ten Wednesday, July 17, 1991 Sports Brown to resign; Jazz set to open rookie camp Former Ute Watts among 18 camp hopefuls By Ty tendered him an offer and the Jazz in turn would not have received any compensation. Bronicel Chronicle Sports Writer On the eve of its annual rookiefree agent camp at Westminster College, the Utah Jazz confirmed, partially at least, what it had been hoping for since its season ended this past May: Unrestricted free agent Mike Brown reportedly said arivederci to II Messaggero of the Italian League with the Jazz. and will In Tuesday morning's edition of USA Today, the newspaper reported that Brown had agreed to deal worth a guaranteed a four-ye$1.3 million per season. Kim Turner, the team's director of Media Services, would only say re-si- gn ar that the Jazz had reached an agreement with Brown, but wasn't sure when Brown would officially sign on the dotted line. In addition, Turner said he had "no idea" where USA Today had gotten its figures regarding Brown's contract. If those numbers are correct and it's likely they are very close then Brown stands to make approximately $400,000 less per season with the Jazz than he would have made in Italy. At any rate, Brown's signing comes as a big relief as the club prepares for Thursday's opening day of the rookiefree agent camp. As an unrestricted free agent, Brown, who capped off his sixth year as a pro with two outstanding playoff series, could have chosen to sign with any team that Apparently, though, Brown chose his happiness here in Utah over the riches he could have received elsewhere. Brown's agreement leaves the Utah front office halfway home in its attempts to sign two of the team's top six players; now the Jazz can work on keeping Jeff Malone around for the coming year. Malone and Jazz owner Larry H. Miller are scheduled to meet July 24 to see if the two sides can come to terms. Malone, who said last week he wants to remain in Utah and is "very optimistic something good will happen," is seeking a deal at roughly $2 four or five-yemillion per season. Meanwhile, 18 hopefuls will be at Westminster tomorrow to begin ar 1 rookiefree agent the July be followed by will which camp, the popular Rocky Mountain Revue summer camp at East High School, July 22 through Aug.l. At the top of Utah's invitation list are second-yea- r Jazzmen Andy Toolson, Walter Palmer and Alan Bannister, who was on the injured 18-2- list the entire season following knee surgery, along with the Jazz' new first-roun- d draft pick Eric Murdock. Murdock, who said he wants to get. a "jump start" on his professional basketball career, arrived in Salt Lake City Monday night and plans to participate in both the rookie camp and the Rocky Mountain Revue even though he has yet to sign a contract. A year ago, the Jazz' newest draft choice, second-rounde- r Walter Palmer, decided to hold out until he had a contract. He subsequently missed the rookie camp as well as the very important Revue. Among the 18 camp participants is former University of Utah center Walter Watts. Watts, who resembles and plays like a smaller version of the Jazz' 1991 second-roun- d pick Isaac Austin, comes off a solid senior season with the Utes, and could get a long look from the Jazz coaching staff, since Austin, who had arthroscopic knee surgery last week, will miss both the camp and the Revue. Another player who figures to be among the favorites to get invited back to veterans camp this fall is Kenny Battle, a gifted 6'6" swingman who played with Denver last season. The rest of the updated list includes: David Benoit of Alabama, John Cooper" (Wichita St.), Ron Move (Hartford), Don Lyttle (Pacific), Reggie Cross (Hawaii), Cory Crowder (Kentucky Bob Harstad Wesleyan), Michael Williams (Creignton), (Bradley) and newly added invitees Roy Fisher (California), Kelly Love (Grambling), the son of former Chicago Bull great Bob Love, and Chris Munk (USC) who played 11 games as a Jazzman a year ago. Former University of Utah center Walter Watts will be participating at the Utah Jazz rookie camp. According to Jazz assistant coach Scott Layden, Watts was among the first players the Jazz invited to the camp. New university golf pro loves mixing business with pleasure the dilemma of a man whose profession and hobby are one By Dave Macfarlane Chronicle Sports Writer For many people the game of golf is a relaxing and challenging way to blow off a little steam after work. Just ask that Jordan guy how he enjoys a game of golf after the grueling NBA season. But for Joe Ruggiero there is no such luxury as a quiet game of golf to ease the tension. Such is and the same. For Ruggiero, the new pro at the University of Utah Golf Course, this problem is just fine, thank you very much. "I feel pretty fortunate. I think whenever anyone can work in the field that they love a lot, then I don't think you can ask for a whole lot more," Ruggiero said. "This has always been my life, this is what I've wanted to do. I hope I can work in the golf business seventies." Born until I'm in and my raised in Massachusetts, Ruggiero became a devotee of golf at a young age, largely because of the influence of his father, a fine player in the New England area. At around 10 years of age, he started working as a caddy at the local country club and became a pupil of the club professional there who taught him how to be patient and play the game well. Ruggiero left New England when he decided to attend college at Brigham Young University, but he still worked at the same country club during his summers at home, saving enough money to pay for school during the winter months. While working at the country club kept him in contact with the game of golf, this and an occasional casual game were virtually the only time Ruggiero spent on the golf course during his college years. "I played competitively in high school quite a bit, and I actually burnt myself out. :vs 4 - - vux I played so much that when I got out to BYU I didn't want to play," Ruggiero said. "Competitive golf wasn't it for me for a while. I started playing competitively again after college." Following his graduation from college, Ruggiero was offered a job as an assistant in the pro shop at a club in New England and jumped at the opportunity. This job put him in a position to s begin work on becoming an accredited PGA professional a long, grinding process that includes at least three years as an assistant professional, two business courses, playing test and an interview a 36-ho- le with the board of directors of the PGA. Joe Ruggiero, the new pro at the University of Utah Golf Course, shows off his swing. Ruggiero feels lucky to be able to work in an occupation he actually enjoys. "It's a lot of effort," Ruggiero said. "It's getting tougher and tougher all the time to get in. There's a lot of professionalsand they want to make sure the professionals they get are top grade." After spending his college years here in Utah, Ruggiero developed strong feelings for the state and its people, feelings that led to his decision to apply for the job at the U. when it became available. "I think the big thing we like about here are the people. Back East it's a little more cold. ..and the family environment here, to us it's the ideal place- to raise a family," - Ruggiero said. Even though he wanted to come to Utah and stay involved with golf, it has to be a little bit difficult for Ruggiero to replace a legend, which he has had to do. When it comes to golf in the state of Utah there aren't many who don't know the name of Vinnie McGuire, and Ruggiero is no exception especially since he has replaced the late McGuire as the resident pro at the U. course. While the legend of Vinnie has grown and will probably continue to grow with time, it is certain that he spent in excess of 30 years at the U. course. Vinnie was around years ago when the U. course belonged to the Fort Douglas Country Club and was the site of the Western Open, hosting greats such as Ben Hogan and Sam Sneed. So is all of this a little bit imposing to Ruggiero? "It's hard taking over for someone who's been here so long and who's built up such a great relationship with everyone he's worked around and with," Ruggiero said. "I don't think I can ever replace him. I just hope to be able to do a good job and make some necessary changes and build a legacy of my own. No one can ever replace Vinnie. He'll always be remembered here, and so it should be." To help maintain the memory U. COURSE INFO The nine-hol- e University of Utah Golf Course may seem a bit different this year to those who know the course. The construction of the Eccles Broadcast Center will change the seventh and eighth holes from par-- 4 to par-- 3 holes, thus making six par-- 3 par--4 holes three and three holes. The cost of a round of golf at the U. is $3 for students, faculty and staff with a valid ID, $4 for the general public and $2 for senior citizens. For those who need help with their game, U. pro Joe Ruggiero offers lessons at a cost of $20 for one half-hou- r lesson. Three lessons go for $50 and five lessons for $80. For further information or ; tee times contact the club house at 581-651- 1. , of Vinnie, Ruggiero will carry on the tradition of the annual Vinnie tournament, now a memorial tournament. Since Ruggiero is unable to a of to escape f)lay hisgame hegolf has taken up work, other hobbies instead. An avid cyclist, he enjoys road biking as well as making and repairing golf equipment. But mostly any spare time he has, especially during the summer months, Ruggiero spends with his family. "Because I'm so busy from March through November, in the off season I spend a lot of time with my family," Ruggiero said. "I'm sure you hear that a lot, but that's important to me. While many people profess a commitment to their families, it seems that Ruggiero's passion for golf is equaled only by that for his family. |