By Riezl Baker

Thirty years ago, Susan Mason exchanged letters with her best friend during typing class about their baseball idols. Much to her friend’s dismay, Susan, a Massachusetts native since birth, was a die-hard Yankees fan. What could possibly have caused a New England resident to cheer for any team outside of Boston's Fenway Park?

Susan claims she has her father to blame. And as far back as she can remember, she followed the Yankees and has dreamt of meeting her favorite player, shortstop Bucky Dent. When she and her husband Bill moved to Lake Oconee this year, she had no idea the lifelong dream would turn to reality. However, on Monday, Oct. 5, Susan stood toe-to-toe with her idol. She had a baseball in hand and was grinning just as brightly as she did when watching him play at Yankee Stadium. She held up the ball to Dent who gladly signed it. And then she posed for a photo with her favorite Yankee.

Stories like this swirl around every year, when Bucky Dent hosts his Annual Golf Invitational benefitting St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital. Residents turn nostalgic as they tee up for a round with some of baseball’s greatest legends. This year’s Legends on the Links Tournament lineup included Dent, 1978 Gold Glove winner Chris Chambliss, former Yankees catcher Rick Cerone, former Yankee first baseman Tino Martinez , Reynolds resident and former infielder Mike Fischlin and Yankees infielder and manager, “Sweet Lou” Piniella.  The special tournament honoree was former Atlanta Braves catcher Javy Lopez, who was recently inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame. 

Legends on the Links was created by Bucky Dent and long-time friend Larry Hoskins to support non-profit organizations that provide quality service and meet a major need in their community.  As long time Reynolds property owners, Dent and Hoskins recognize that St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital plays a vital role not only in the local economy but as a healing presence for the community.  Nearly two years after opening its doors, Good Samaritan Hospital has transformed healthcare in the area and contributed to the growth of the economy by creating numerous jobs and attracting new families and businesses to the Lake Oconee region.

The two-day event started with a cocktail reception and silent auction on Oct. 4 at the Sandy Creek Barn, followed by a 4-man scramble the next day at the Reynolds Plantation's National Golf Course. During the awards dinner, Lopez thanked the crowd for supporting the great cause.

“The hospital is very important to this community and I am glad to have played a small part in this event,” Lopez said. “This is a beautiful place, and I enjoyed ‘catching up’ with my baseball friends who also came to support it.”

At the culmination of the two day event, we walked away with plenty of great new stories to tell.  Aside from fundraising for the hospital, stories like Susan Mason’s make “Legends on the Links” a wonderful experience.

As the event drew to a close, Lou Piniella shared his own story about former Yankees owner and manager, George Steinbrenner. The group erupted in laughter and I stood there with a smile. The last time I heard Steinbrenner’s name was on an old episode of Seinfeld and here I am, hearing it from one of baseball’s biggest names, who came out in support of our beautiful community.

Riezl Baker is a Foundation Board member for St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital and a full time realtor with Reynolds Plantation Properties. A local resident for over 18 years, she is passionate about giving back to the community through her fundraising and philanthropic efforts.