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.

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."

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.

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?

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.

Are you the next Tiger Woods? Okay, maybe not but maybe you enjoy a great ride through a beautiful golf course. From those who actually play to those who spectate, the perfect golf course can make or break a good day out. When it comes to finding the best golf course, there are so many things to consider. For me, put in Top Golf and I am happy. But, we have professionals who truly appreciate a good golf course experience. Luckily, you won't have to travel too far to experience one of the world's best.

Diario AS wants to help you experience some of the world's most beautiful golf courses. When ranking, they took into consideration the history, beauty, and overall quality of courses across the world to discover their top 10. North Carolina surely made the list with one of the most beautiful and best golf courses in the world right here in our state. Got those golf clubs ready? Check out the Diario AS top 10 best and most beautiful golf courses in the world.

This was the location of the first Ryder Cup played outside of the United States and the United Kingdom. This course also hosted the WGC-American Express Championship in 1999 and 2000.

Establsihed in 1913, Pine Valley Golf Club has been named the number one course in Golf Magazine’s 100 Top Courses in the U.S. and the World four times since 2012. But, it is not always spoken about because there has never been a major tournament played at the golf course.

Royal St. Georges is home to 15 British Opens and has been around since the 1800.  It was the first club outside of Scotland to host The Open in 1894, and last saw Colin Morikawa win it in 2021.

Hooray for North Carolina! There are nine different courses at the Resort at Pinehurst, but only one of them has hosted three U.S. Opens a PGA Championship and a Ryder Cup. The course's beauty comes from lush fairways and longleaf pine trees that are staples to the amazing view.

This famous course is not known to many Americans, because it is not played on the PGA Tour. The course opened in 1926 and has been part of Australian and golf history.

Close by is another course in South Carolina. Hanging right off the coast of Charleston in the barrier islands. Enjoy the views of the coast and the golf course while you're out on the green. It has hosted two PGA Championships and the 1991 Ryder Cup.

Similar structure and scenery as Pebble Beach is Cypress Point. Since 1928, it has been a private course. It was one of the courses played during the multi course AT&T Pro-Am until 1990.

Cypress Point's neighbor Pebble Beach Club is on the list. Pebble Beach has seen seven U.S. Opens and a PGA Championship over the years. One of its most famous moments was Tiger Woods back in the 2000 U.S. Open when he beat the field by fifteen strokes.

Also known as The Old Lady, this course is the oldest course in the world, but remains as relevant as ever in the golf world. The course was established in 1552 and is still standing for golfers to enjoy!

Augusta National is the course that holds the most coveted prize in golf. It is the home of the only major that doesn’t change locations from year to year, The Masters. Since 1934 it has been held here and grown to become the most illustrious course in the world.