Rumble at the Ridge: Ray Allen gets his swing on at legends event

SNOQUALMIE — At a golf event billed as a showcase for retired NFL legends, a 30-year-old basketball player was getting much of the attention yesterday at the TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge.

Three days after trying out baseball during Mariners batting practice, Sonics star Ray Allen was hanging out with the football crowd, playing in the Rumble at the Ridge.

The five-man scramble kicked off a week of golf that ends with this weekend's Boeing Greater Seattle Classic, a Champions Tour event. Each fivesome except Allen's had one former NFL player and a foursome representing a tournament sponsor.

Allen played in the tournament's marquee group along with Seahawks legend Steve Largent and Boeing execs Alan Mulally, Robert Pasterick and James Bell.

"I did play football as a kid," Allen said in an attempt to qualify himself. "Then I got to high school and the guys were too big."

Allen was a late invite to the tournament, making his appearance a surprise to most of the people there, including one of his playing partners.

"I didn't know he was playing," Largent said. "It was really neat to meet him."

Having not received the proper credentials, Allen parked in the main spectator parking lot and rode a shuttle bus to the course.

While Allen, a 6 handicap, looked to have the best game in his group, all five members contributed to the team's score of 13-under 59. Mulally, the CEO of Boeing's commercial aircraft division, added the shot of the day, holing a 75-foot double breaker for birdie on the 16th hole.

Tom Turnure, former University of Washington and Detroit Lions center, played on the winning team with a foursome from Mastercard. Turnure, Scott Patrick, Aaron Bresko, Don Mooney and Gary Free had the low net score of 56.85.

Lynn Swann, Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer, teamed with a group from Lumbermens, sponsor of the Rumble, to finish second with a net score of 57.7.

Largent was one of four Seahawks Ring of Honor members to play yesterday, along with Dave Krieg, Curt Warner and Jacob Green.

The tournament also included 12 members of the NFL Hall of Fame: Largent, Swann, Mike Haynes, Ken Houston, Tom Mack, Mike McCormack, Mel Renfro, Gene Upshaw, Dave Wilcox, Larry Wilson, Charley Taylor and Ron Yary.

Largent lives in Washington, D.C., and is the president and CEO of the Wireless Trade Association. He is still recovering from a minor stroke suffered almost four months ago, and said he is feeling better, though he is not yet 100 percent. The former Congressman said he does not see himself getting back into politics.

"I don't have any aspirations," Largent said. "I guess I would leave that door open just because I know what happens when you say, 'I'll never do that again.' But I really don't have any aspirations to get back involved politically. I love my job right now."

Swann, meanwhile, is thinking of joining Largent in the receiver-turned-politician club. Though he hasn't made an official decision, Swann is looking into running for governor of Pennsylvania in 2006.

According to Mulally, the week's events should raise more than $1 million for the Heart Institute at Virginia Mason and several other charities.