Matt Williams may miss golf tournament because of foot surgery

PHOENIX - After spending much of his season either on the disabled list or recovering from injuries, it only seems fitting that Matt Williams might miss his own celebrity golf tournament because he's having foot surgery after the season.

"I'm not sure yet if I'll be able to go this year," said the ex-Carson high grad, who broke his foot in the spring. "I should know in the next three or four days when the surgery will be."

If he doesn't come, it will be the third time in the tournament's six-year existence that he hasn't been able to attend. Last year, he couldn't be there because the Arizona Diamondbacks made the playoffs. Then a few years before that, he wasn't there because of an injury.

This year's fund-raising tournament, which helps raise money for the Carson Capitols summer baseball program, is being held during the weekend of October 14-15.

"The money raised from the tournament goes towards the Capitols travel costs, uniforms, and equipment," Williams said. "We can't use the money for the high school program because then the money raised from the tournament would have to spread out evenly to all the sports. So it works out better for the Capitols."

The 18-hole four-person scramble will be played Sunday Oct. 15 at Empire Ranch Golf Course. On Saturday, there will be a cocktail party, auction, and raffle at the Carson Nugget.

"I get all the autographs and memorabilia from a lot of the people who I come in contact with," Williams said.

Appearing at this year's tournament will be George Foster, a former National League MVP winner with the Cincinnati Reds. Last year, hall of famer Harmon Killebrew was there. But besides Foster, Williams isn't sure on who else will be there.

"All I know is that George Foster is going to be there," Williams said. "I talked to coach (Ron) McNutt and that's all he told me."

Regardless of who shows up, it doesn't matter to Williams, who remains proud that he's been able to give something back to the program that led him to become a professional baseball player.

"The Capitols is a fantastic program," Williams said. "I mean, the reason that I was drafted out of high school was because I was seen when I was playing with the Capitols," Williams said.

And Williams thinks that exposure is the most important thing for a player who wants to reach the next level, whether it be pro or college.

"A lot of the Capitol players get a lot of exposure," Williams said. "They travel all over the United States and play in front of a lot of pro scouts, more than they know, maybe.

"Exposure is invaluable because you can't be seen unless you go and play against all the teams that the Capitols do."

Another big plus for playing for the Capitols, besides exposure to scouts, is exposure to McNutt, who Williams said taught him things that have proven useful in his professional career.

"I think you learn something from every coach you have," Williams said. "But with coach McNutt and at the high school level, it's all about control, poise and the way you handle yourself on the baseball field. And he taught me that."