Area Golf News

Three Sports Legends to Appear at 2009 Monday After the Masters

February 23, 2009, North Myrtle Beach, S.C. – Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament organizers announced today that LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, professional wrestling legend Ric Flair and former Pittsburgh Steeler running back Jerome Bettis will participate in this year’s event to be held April 13 at The Dye Club at Barefoot Resort & Golf in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Sorenstam retired from the LPGA TOUR in 2008 after a storied 14-year professional golf career, and still holds LPGA records with 70 tournament victories, 10 Majors championships and more than $20 million in career earnings. Sorenstam was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2003.

Known to wrestling fans as “The Nature Boy,” Flair has been one of wrestling’s most recognizable stars since the 1970’s. Flair captured 16 world championships with World Wrestling Entertainment, World Championship Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance and is known for his trademark expression “woooooooo.” Flair retired in 2008 after a 36-year wrestling career.

One of the greatest running backs in the history of the NFL, Jerome “The Bus” Bettis finished his 13-year NFL career as the league’s fifth all-time leading rusher with more than 13,600 yards and 94 touchdowns. Bettis retired after leading Pittsburgh to a 2006 Super Bowl victory over the Rams, and currently serves as a football analyst for NBC’s “Football Night in America” studio show.

“Having Annika, Ric and Jerome Bettis at the 2009 Monday After the Masters adds to a long list of athletes who have joined us and are considered the greatest at what they do,” said Darius Rucker, lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish. “The names of athletes and celebrities who have participated over the last 15 years goes on and on, but “The Nature Boy” is universally considered the greatest professional wrestler of all time. Flair is also one of the coolest people I have ever met in my life. His coolness is in that category reserved for Mr. Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Tommy Armor III and a few others. “Natch” has been a good friend for years and I am overwhelmed that he is coming. The hours and hours of enjoyment he gave me until the day he retired are a big part of who I am.  And the wonderful white robe that the band bought for me years ago is the centerpiece of my sports collection.”

Monday After the Masters tournament tickets go on sale Saturday, February 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the House of Blues, the Barefoot Resort & Golf pro shops and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are $15 with children 12 years of age and younger admitted free. All ticket proceeds benefit the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, which supports the educational needs of children in South Carolina and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation. Last year, the event recorded its third consecutive sell-out and raised an all-time high of $460,000 for the charities.

Volunteers are needed for the Monday After the Masters to assist with the transportation and marshaling committees. Please contact Alexa Devine at (843) 881-2532 or smudevine@aol.com. For more information on volunteer opportunities, visit www.HootieGolf.com/volunteers.asp.

Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday has been involved in all six of the Monday After the Masters Tournaments held on the Grand Strand.

“We are excited to host our seventh Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament here in Myrtle Beach,” said Bill Golden, president of Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday. “The Monday After the Masters Tournament has meant so much to the state of South Carolina and we are proud to help present an event that helps fund the state’s junior golf and education programs and attract more national media attention to the Myrtle Beach area.”

The field for past Monday After the Masters tournaments has typically included many of the biggest names in music, television and movies, sports and the professional golf world.  Celebrities who have participated in the annual tournament have included actor Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Sorbo of “Meet the Spartans” and actor Anthony Anderson from “Law & Order”.  From the sports world, the annual tournament has welcomed former NFL stars Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jim McMahon and Sterling Sharpe; University of South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier and ESPN analyst Lou Holtz. 

The professional golf field has always been well represented with Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Tom Kite, Andy North, Woody Austin, J.B. Holmes, Kenny Perry, Ricky Barnes, Rich Beem, Lee Elder and Robert Gamez having participated in past years.

Monday’s post-golf concert from the House of Blues has featured legendary performances from Hootie & the Blowfish and their musical guests. The concert has enjoyed tremendous popularity over the past 14 years with the list of past performers including Meat Loaf, Branford Marsalis, Jason Mraz, Josh Kelley, Sister Hazel and Edwin McCain. The concert has drawn many other celebrities to the stage including John Daly, Samuel L. Jackson, Stuart Scott and Dan Patrick.  This year's concert will be limited to the sponsors of the pro-am only.

About the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Golf Tournament
One of the most popular celebrity pro-am golf tournaments in the country, the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament attracts thousands of people who enjoy the music of the two-time Grammy award winners as well as the friendly competition between the band and their celebrity and PGA professional friends. Over the past 14 years, the Monday After the Masters has donated more than $4 million to the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation, which supports the educational needs of South Carolina and the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation.

About Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday
Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday is a non-profit trade association of 76 championship golf courses, 107 golf package providers and five golf schools in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area. Founded in 1967, the organization has been and continues to be the driving force behind the growth of the Myrtle Beach area golf market. The originator of the “Stay and Play Package,” Golf Holiday provides non-biased information about the area accommodations and golf courses to assist golfers in making the most informed decisions when planning for their next vacation. Golf Holiday also hosts seven events and tournaments annually to help grow the game of golf and attract golfers to the Grand Strand during slower times of year. In addition to hosting the Hootie & the Blowfish Monday After The Masters Celebrity Pro-Am Golf Tournament each spring, Golf Holiday also manages the PGA TOUR Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship – the world's largest on-site golf tournament, the Summer Family Golf Tournaments, the Spring and Fall Palmetto High School Golf Championships, the Veterans Golf Classic and the FDNY 9-11 Memorial Golf Outing. For more information, call Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday at 1-800-833-8798 or visit GolfHoliday.com.

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