So, I Won $40,000 Monday At The Wells Fargo Championship
Lunchtime on Monday found a rather large and conspicuous gathering at one of the putting greens at the Wells Fargo Championship. Political figures, TV personalities, members of Charlotte FC, past and present Carolina Panthers, and disc jockeys like me participated in the event’s celebrity putting challenge.
How Long Has The Celebrity Putting Challenge Been A Thing?
One of the first things Wells Fargo Championship Tournament Director Gary Sobba did when he took over his position was to come up with a way to generate media involvement (and get some free publicity). “The Green Mile Challenge” took place for two years (2018-2019). Media outlets around Charlotte entered 3-person teams to play Quail Hollow Club’s legendary 16th, 17th, & 18th holes, known as “The Green Mile.” My team was fortunate in those and won $1,000 for charity-both years.
Covid-19 cancelled the tournament and the event in 2020. Once things returned to normal, a new event emerged: “The Celebrity Putting Challenge.”
What Is The Celebrity Putting Challenge?
Not only is the media involved, but this opened the doors to local celebrities AND is held during tournament week (“The Green Mile Challenge” was held a week or two prior). Doing this allowed the public to spectate and be involved (and post to their social media as well). The tournament committee sets up a 9-hole “putt-putt” course, for lack of a better term. The highest score you can receive on a hole is a 3. 34 local celebrities put their golf skills and competitive natures on the line all in the name of raising money for charity.
How Much Money Can You Win In The Celebrity Putting Challenge?
At the end of nine holes yesterday, 8 celebrities were tied with a score of 16 (yours truly included). We then had a “putt-off” to determine the winner of a $10,000 donation to that person’s charity of choice. For the second year in a row, Carolina Panthers’ legend, Wesley Walls took home that prize. However, the top three in the putt-off then went to a newly created hole. In addition to Walls, former Panther and current Fox Broadcaster Greg Olsen and I faced a 20–25-foot putt. One chance only. The first, if any, of the three of us to hole the putt would then win $40,000 for his charity. Last year, that putt went missed. This year?
Who Receives My $40,000 Donation From The Celebrity Putting Challenge?
Over the years, I’ve raised millions of dollars for children’s hospitals, Ronald McDonald House, Autism Speaks, cancer, etc. It has been and always will be an honor and privilege to do so. However, I’ve never had a charity touch my heart and soul as The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (North Carolina Chapter) currently does. Last spring, a co-worker and dear friend lost her 16-year-old grandson when he chose to take his life. Then last summer, in a devasting occurrence for my entire family, my brother-in-law did the same. He was a huge part of my life for 33 years. There are still times I expect to hear from him or think about what he would say/do when certain things arise. He was an older brother I never had, and a friend and sounding board that is irreplaceable.
In the video above you hear the emcee of the event, my friend Taylor Zarzour (of Sirius XM/PGA Tour Radio) and see him hug me, post putt.
I’m so glad he did. I needed a second to compose myself. It hit me all at once that maybe Peyton Smith (my brother-in-law) helped that putt find a home at the bottom of the hole and make it possible for some money to go towards preventing what happened to him, happening to another. I hope so, brother.
Thank you, Wells Fargo Championship, for the opportunity to hopefully do some good for others and my heart yesterday.
