HOCKEY TAKES A BACK SEAT AT

ROY GOLF TOURNAMENT

By Rich Elliott, Connecticut Post

ORANGE, CT -- Slightly more than two weeks have passed since Chris Drury celebrated winning the Stanley Cup as an influential member of the Colorado Avalanche.

It was the realization of a dream that drives all hockey players, since the first time they lace up their skates. But rather than spread some insight on win the championship, Drury didn't want to talk about it Monday. In fact, he didn't want to talk about hockey at all. That wasn't the reason he was in town.

The reason Drury and more than 250 golfers gathered at Race Brook Country Club was to take part in the sixth annual Travis Roy Foundation Invitational Golf Tournament.

"I've been looking forward to it all year," Drury said. "It's probably more of a reunion than anything else. The golf is fun. It's good to be outside. I just like com to see everyone. Travis is here. All my friends are here. That's the best part for me."

When Roy crashed headfirst into the boards 11 seconds into his first shift as a freshman at Boston University on Oct., 20, 1995, Drury was just a few feet away Roy broke his fourth cervical vertebra and is now a quadriplegic with no feeling below his shoulders and no movement in his legs or his left arm. He has slight movement in his right arm.

Soon after the accident, Drury received a phone call in his dormitory from tournament co﷓director John Ferguson about the idea of starting a charity golf tournament in Roy's honor. Six years have passed, with the event continuing to gain momentum.

Co-director Mike Ferguson said Monday there were 65 registered. He said he could have had as many as 90 while also talking about the possibility of expanding the event to two courses in the future.

"It's truly amazing how the story continues and how the people continue to want to help," Roy said. "But the best part is people have a great time. That's why they keep coming back.

"They believe in the cause, yes. But to keep coming back year after year, you've got to have something special, and the Fergusons have something special here."

Since its inception in 1997, the Roy foundation has raised approximately $500,000 toward finding a cure for spinal cord paralysis and helping those with paralysis. And while Drury is the main attraction, several other dignitaries were at the tournament.

Ted Drury, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Chicago Wolves of the International Hockey League last season, and Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tom Poti were also in the field Monday Last year, New Jersey Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was in attendance just weeks after the Devils won the Stanley Cup.

The hockey players are a fine draw for area golfers, but the real objective is supporting Roy's cause. Ted Drury, in particular, got a bit choked up when asked about the tournament.

"We love Travis," said Ted Drury, Chris' brother. "We've been doing this for a number of years now and it's a great thing.

"This tournament's stronger now than it was in the first year. it just keeps getting better and better and better. More money's raised and that's a great thing. It excites me to think that maybe we can solve this. It makes you feel good that the money's going for something that you know will affect someone you know personally."

Connecticut Post

June 26, 2001