Nothing cavalier about Luke's devotion.

Byline: Ron Bellamy / The Register-Guard

CORRECTION (ran 7/21/2006): Luke Jackson's inaugural celebrity golf tournament raised about $1,000 for local prep sports programs, aided by a $10,000 sponsor's donation to help cover expenses. Ron Bellamy's column on Page B1 on Wednesday had the incorrect amount contributed to the schools.

Sometimes, Luke Jackson noted ruefully, people seem to think that he's simply vanished from the boxscores of the National Basketball Association, nowhere to be found.

Indeed, from stardom at Creswell High School and the University of Oregon and prominence as the 10th pick of the 2004 NBA draft, Jackson has virtually disappeared into anonymity in two injury-shortened seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Every time I come back, people are going `Man, you just dropped off the face of the Earth,'" Jackson said Tuesday, meeting with a reporter at a local golf course to discuss both his recovery from a second back surgery, and his plans for the upcoming second annual Luke Jackson Celebrity Golf Tournament to raise money for high school sports programs.

"But I'm still there. I still have years on my contract. For everyone who wonders about me, there's no doubt in my mind that if I'm healthy, I'm going to be successful in the league.

"I've been injured, and it's been some of the most frustrating times of my life. You feel really blessed to have the money and have everything like that, but if you don't have your health. ...

"I want to prove to everyone around Eugene that I wasn't just a star in college, that I can do some damage in the league, too. And it's frustrating being injured, because I just want to prove to people that I can do it."

Jackson has long since proved that he hasn't forgotten his roots.

He bought a house in Creswell, near Emerald Valley Golf Club, and he's looking for land in the countryside. His first celebrity golf tournament, last year, with participants such as Casey Martin, Josh Bidwell, Chad Cota and Ernie Kent, was successful as an event and turned over close to $10,000 to local schools.

"Growing up in Creswell, and having my mom work as a secretary at the high school, you understand that the things that get cut in high schools first and foremost are sports," Jackson said. "I feel like I owe a lot to the people who helped me along the way, and I understand the importance of having that for kids.

"It's nice for a school like Creswell to be able to buy the kids new uniforms, and I know that the bleachers on the football field need to be repaired. Those are the least things in the budget to ever see money, and I don't disagree with the way things are run, because academics have to come first. But academics and sports go hand in hand."

This year, the tournament will consist of a dinner and auction at Emerald Valley the evening of Sunday, Aug. 6, and the golf tournament at Emerald Valley on Monday, Aug. 7. Cost to play is $275 for an individual, or $1,000 for a foursome, and there are also sponsorship opportunities.

With other ventures - Jackson is organizing a fund-raising poker tournament at Creswell High School on Aug. 5, and the raffle of a car at local prep football games during the fall - Jackson ultimately hopes to raise $100,000 to $200,000 a year for local high school sports programs at schools like Creswell and Junction City, Springfield and Thurston, North Eugene and South Eugene and more.

In short, he envisions being in this for the long haul; he believes he can be in the NBA for a significant stretch as well.

Jackson has played in just 46 games in his two seasons with Cleveland. He missed the final 52 games of his rookie season after having an operation in January 2005 to repair a herniated disc. He played 36 games last season, shortened both by a broken left wrist and then by a second back surgery, in May, to repair another herniated disc.

"I'm feeling a lot better," he said.

He's in the gym shooting again, and expects to be ready for training camp in the fall; he's got a year remaining on his initial contract with the Cavs, who have an option on a fourth season. He's still confident in his ability.

"If I'm healthy," he said, "there's no doubt in my mind. ..."

As part of his rehabilitation, Jackson has spent two stretches, of two weeks and 10 days, respectively, near Vancouver, B.C., with noted physical therapist Alex McKechnie, who has developed a rigorous, 12-step program of drills that strengthen the body's inner core. McKechnie, who has worked with the Los Angeles Lakers and Vancouver Canucks, is in demand by pro athletes in a variety of sports.

The unique workouts last until Jackson is physically spent, and Jackson compared McKechnie to Mr. Miyagi in "The Karate Kid," noting that the physiotherapist will prod him with a stick if he's doing a drill incorrectly. Jackson said he'll be following those drills for the rest of his career.

He sounded like he expects that to be a good long time.

For more information about the Luke Jackson Celebrity Golf Tournament and dinner/auction, contact tournament director Katy Polansky at 684-4439, or e-mail [e-mail], or visit www.lukejacksongolf.com.