GOLFERS SHOW AFFECTION FOR CSUN.

Byline: VINCENT BONSIGNORE

Inside the Member's Grill Room just off the 18th hole at Porter Valley Country Club, the stories flowed Monday morning.

At one table a middle-aged man was holding court with some friends. He was telling them about a girlfriend who complained he cared more about his college football team than her. Seems the guy chose watching his alma mater play on Saturdays over taking his girlfriend out.

``I thought, if she can't understand my devotion to my team, what the hell good is she anyway?'' the man said, taking particular satisfaction in pointing out that he has since parted ways.

Nearby, someone else was describing a recent golf outing. The day started with a long, straight, picturesque tee shot at one. But the rest of the afternoon was mostly slices into the rough.

``I should have quit after the first shot,'' the guy mused. ``It was all downhill after that.''

Both stories were symbolic on a day in which the Cal State Northridge football program took over Porter Valley. The occasion was the 11th annual Matador Football Golf Fund Raiser. The intent was to pump money into CSUN's bank account by inviting celebrities, coaches, alumni and fans to Porter Ranch for an afternoon of golf, food, drinks and money donations.

The ex-girlfriend might not appreciate the concept, but devotion is what events like these are all about. And as the hacker who spent a recent day chasing after hook shots into the trees can attest, no afternoon can be considered a waste if it's spent on a golf course.

Devotion is comedian Buddy Hackett ignoring his doctor's advice to stay indoors on a hot, muggy day. Hackett showed up Monday despite the physician's concerns and played 18 holes.

And it's this: First-year CSUN coach Ron Ponciano flew in for the day from Park City, Utah, so he could help host the tournament. Then he jetted right back Monday night to Park City, where he is spending the week at the Big Sky Coaches Media Conference.

Ponciano began the day by introducing fellow coaches to the media in Park City, then drove an hour to Salt Lake City to catch a plane to L.A. He arrived at Northridge at 1:30 p.m., then got in a cart and mingled with players on the course. After dinner, it was right back to the airport for a 7:30 p.m. flight to Utah.

Ponciano could have begged off Monday, citing an obvious scheduling conflict, and nobody would have complained. The fact that he came back to shake hands and personally thank participants shows the lengths he will go to get his program on the right track.

And make no mistake, this is Ponciano's program. He might only be in his first year, but he already shows a better understanding of fund-raising than his predecessors. Past coaching regimes paid lip service to this event, taking the stance that it wasn't in their job descriptions to have much to do with it other than to show up.

Ponciano thinks otherwise, aware that if CSUN is to eventually crawl out from its well-documented financial hole, money-making affairs like this are essential.

Ponciano headed a committee that met once a week the past three months to plan, organize and get the word out. The result was the best participant turnout in years.

He even went so far as to enlist the help of his siblings. Older brother Dan donated a fishing trip to Vancouver, Wash., for Monday's silent auction, and sister Cindy drove in from San Dimas to help run the tournament.

``It's really neat that she cares so much about the program that she'd do all that she's done,'' Ponciano said.

Another key player was assistant coach Keith Burgess, whose diligent work the past three months helped secure most of the sponsorships and participants.

``He's been a bulldog making phone calls, chasing down commitments and really staying on people,'' Ponciano said.

The goal Monday was to raise $30,000, a figure CSUN officials were confident they'd reach. That would be a huge improvement from last year's $8,000.

The lack of support then was due to the school's ill-advised decision to cut four sports programs. The public responded by turning its back on the golf tournament. Now that all those sports have been reinstated and the future looks brighter at CSUN, the turnout mushroomed. More than 140 golfers participated Monday.

Ponciano said the money won't make or break CSUN's season. But it will help fund extra scholarships and operating costs.

``It goes towards the extras, like feeding the team during the week,'' Ponciano said.

Ponciano's day did include one setback. An Aug. 7 fund-raiser to salute former USC coach John Robinson and ex-UCLA coach Terry Donahue has to be rescheduled. Robinson recently got a job with the Washington Redskins and won't be available that day.

Still, Ponciano remained upbeat.

``We're going to have to scramble now, but we'll be OK,'' he said. ``Like everything else, you've got to figure out a way to get it done, and that's exactly what we'll do.''

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) Comedian Buddy Hackett found himself out of bounds in Monday's CSUN golf tournament.

(2) CSUN assistant coach Kevin Singleton watches his shot in a tournament to benefit the football program.

David Crane/Daily News