Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida -- Frank Stams knows all about the joy and pride of winning a title, having played a pivotal role as an All-American defensive end on the 1988 Notre Dame team that went undefeated and claimed the school's 11th national championship in football. On Saturday (October 23), more than three decades removed from that glorious celebration on the gridiron, it was Stams (former Cleveland Browns LB) who hit the key shot at the clutch moment to propel his team of five to triumph at the 41st NFL Alumni Super Bowl of Golf, at Mission Inn Resort.
Faced with a 50-yard pitch shot on the second hole of a Shoot-Out, Stams entertained the assembled onlookers with a series of humorous lines and lauded the event itself before calmly lofting his shot at the hole. The ball rolled toward the cup, lipped out and settled two feet away. Moments later, one of his teammates, Justin Sopko, tapped in the putt to secure the victory and set off a raucous celebration around the 18th hole of the El Campeon Course at Mission Inn.
"I had so much fun playing with this great group of
guys, and everyone contributed today to make it such a special
experience," said Stams, who had captained his team to victory at the Cleveland
Chapter championship to earn a spot in the Super Bowl of Golf. "I was
fortunate to be part of a national championship team at Notre Dame and this is every bit as exciting to me to share this title with this group. I know I speak for all of our in saying it's such a thrill to win this national championship!"
