Golfers can tee off with NFL legends in shootout for children’s charities

Golfers who want to compete in a round with a National Football League hero have to hurry for a spot at the tee. Limited openings remain in the Inaugural Gridiron Legends Charity Shootout coming up Saturday, Dec. 5, at Palmira Golf & Country Club in Bonita Springs.

The tourney is a benefit for the Children’s Network of Southwest Florida, Step by Step Early Childhood Education & Therapy Center, and Angels’ Activities Inc.

The NFL honorary host for the shootout is former Minnesota Vikings running back Chuck Foreman, who was the 12th overall pick in the 1973 NFL draft and became consensus choice for NFC Rookie of the Year. A Pro Bowl team member from 1973 to 1977, over his career, he rushed for a total of 5,950 yards and 53 touchdowns and caught 350 passes for 3,156 yards and 23 touchdowns.

The honorary community host is former Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter, who has dedicated himself toward supporting local children’s causes. Mr. Hunter serves as the law enforcement liaison for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

The Gridiron Legends Charity Shootout will begin on Friday, Dec. 4, with a pairings party at Palmira Golf & Country Club. The evening event will feature a live and silent auction as well as other activities. On Saturday, Dec. 5, the competition begins with a tournament breakfast followed by the 18-hole scramble, awards ceremony and raffles. The festivities will conclude with a three-team shootout to determine the champion team.

The winning team will earn a spot to play in the 2010 South Florida NFL Alumni Chapter Super Bowl Golf Tournament in February 2010 in Fort Lauderdale, which is a qualifier for the Super Bowl of Golf National Championship in Maui, Hawaii, in April 2010. The winning team also will receive a 12-inch porcelain golfer specially designed by Lladro.

Dozens of former NFL players have been invited to participate in the Gridiron Legends Charity Shootout. Among those who have committed to play are: former St. Louis Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart; former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Barry Smith; Tony Nathan and Bob Kuechenberg, Miami Dolphins; Cornelius Bennett, Joe Cribbs, Jimmie Gilies and Jack Laraway, Buffalo Bills; Parnell Dickinson, Los Angeles Rams; and Eddie Payton, Cleveland Browns.

Entry fee for the Gridiron Legends Charity Shootout is $2,000 per foursome or $500 for individual golfers.

Sponsors of the inaugural event include: Beasley Broadcast Group, Monarch Marketing Services, Comcast, Cone Communications Company, Living Now Inc., BDK Group, In Trouble Zone Productions, The PublicRelate Integrated Marketing, Disney World, Discovery Cruise Lines, Minnesota Twins, Bealls Department Store, The Naples Zoo, Florida Everblades, Shark Shootout, Miller Lite, Mercedes and Ford.

For more information on the Gridiron Legends Charity Shootout, contact Angels’ Activities at 591-8901 or visit www.GridironLegendsCharityShootout. com. 