College athletics: Larry Johnson golf event has become a tradition for Odessa College

When Odessa College athletic director John Wilfert ends his tenure at the end of the month to take over as president-CEO of the Odessa Family YMCA, he will leave behind many elements at OC that have his fingerprints all over them.

One is the Larry Johnson Celebrity Golf Tournament, with the fourth annual edition scheduled for 1 p.m. today at the Odessa Country Club.

According to OC men's basketball head coach Dennis Helms, Johnson, a former Wrangler, told Helms that if he needed help with a fundraiser to let him know.

Helms did.

That came after he and Wilfert in 2006 met to brainstorm and the idea for a golf tournament was hatched.

"Coach Helms and I sat down, started talking about how to get more money for basketball scholarships," Wilfert said. "I said, ‘Not just scholarships, but lets do it for the program.' He said he could get Larry."

They did get Johnson. And Roy Williams and Texas Tech basketball head coach Pat Knight and, this year, Miss Texas USA Brooke Daniels and former NBA player Bo Outlaw.

And the tournament has made an impact on the men's basketball program. The proceeds are applied toward the players' summer session, which helps them remain on track academically.

"It is really rewarding," Wilfert said. "Any time you work hard at something and get things going, it's rewarding."

Wilfert wants to continue his involvement, and he said that even while he's at the YMCA, he plans to still help organize the tournament.

In fact, he foresees a similar tournament for his new place.

"We may get one going, not a sports one but with actors and movie stars," Wilfert said. "I'm more dimensional than just sports. People see me as just a sports person, but I do know other people."

It is not just Wilfert who helps put the tournament together.

The Wrangler Club was used from the beginning to help organize the event, and other community members have pitched in to make Helms' and Wilfert's vision come true. 

"I feel fortunate for this reason - we've got a city that can host it and a country club that can host it," Helms said. "We've got a group of people who work like crazy to utilize those tools."

Although he likes playing golf, Wilfert has not participated in the tournament. With probably more free weekends at the YMCA, Wilfert said he's looking forward to increased time at the links.

Just don't hold your breath to wait for a Wilfert sighting on the course at a tournament in the near future.

He'll be running around, making sure things are running smoothly, like he usually does at events.

"Since I came back here," Helms said, "John has promoted OC and John has promoted the golf tournament and he's been a big help to it."