The 10th Annual OJ McDuffie Celebrity Golf Classic was nothing short of a hole-in-one!  This two-day event, filled with excitement, fun, food and celebrities, was held April 3rd and 4th, 2009.  Raising money for the OJ McDuffie Catch 81 Foundation, as well as the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance, it was definitely not an event to miss out on.

OJ McDuffie and other members of the Catch 81 Foundation at the VIP Reception

The two-day event kicked off on Friday April 3rd, and featured a VIP Reception with celebrity guests.  The reception was held at Off the Hookah, which is located on the beautiful Las Olas Riverfront in downtown Ft. Lauderdale.  From 6PM until 10PM, there was a hosted four hour open bar and buffet.  A silent auction offered many items such as sports memorabilia, jewelry, gift baskets, golf items and vacation packages.  A live auction was also held.

Some of the auction items that were available

Jewelry was part of the silen auction

This beautiful venue hosted just about 400 people in total and the evening was quite a success for the OJ McDuffie Catch 81 Foundation as well as the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.  Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time as they caught up with old friends, made new and socialized for a good cause.

On Saturday April 4th, a four-man scramble format including a celebrity on each team continued the weekend of excitement.  The Palm Aire Country Club in Pompano Beach is where the Golf Classic was held.  Beginning at 11AM, participants began to arrive and register. 

Check-in Saturday morning

Each participant received a wonderful gift bag filled with many goodies as well as numerous items that Nike provided.  The gifts included, golf shoes, sunglasses, golf bags, a putter, raingear and much more.

Nike Golf provided an extravagent gift bag

Miami Dolphin Cheerleaders, Megan Danforth and Bibiana Julian

Excited to start the day

Jed Weaver, Rich Rolle, Sean Hill, Cornelius Bennett

Each team had one celebrity participant.  When asked what made him participate in the tournament, Dolphins Linebacker, Channing Crowder replied, “I’ve known OJ a long time and I come out to help the community and the kids”.  

Celebrity players in attendance included, Conrnelius Bennett, Bennie Blades, Brian Blades, Kim Bokamper, Keith Byars, Dan Carpenter, Ki-Jana Carter, Patrick Cobbs, Keith Sims, Channing Crowder, John Denny, Troy Drayton, Mark Duper, Anthony Fasano, Jay Fiedler, Brandon Fields, Chafie Fields, Joe Rose, Bobby Harden, Mark Higgs, Jim Kiick, Terry Kirby, Chris Kirkpatrick, Leon Lett, Leonard Marshall, Bryant McKinnie, Twan Russell, Don Silvestri, Jed Weaver, Michael Williams and Shawn Wooden.

Channing Crowder

Prepared to go out on the course, all the golf carts are lined up

As an opening to the event, Jon Saxx welcomed everyone in and set off the event by playing the National Anthem with his clarinet.  Everyone surrounded Saxx and paid respect as the sounds rang across the course.  Following the National Anthem, the teams geared up and headed out on the course to begin the tournament.  Each team headed to a different hole, which were almost always accompanied by gourmet food and beverages. 

Jon Saxx

Empire Pizza was one of the sponsors

Sponsors of the event were placed throughout the course and included, Hooters of Ft. Lauderdale, PF Changs, Empire Pizza, Key West Key Lime Pie, Co., Quarterdeck, Boar’s Head, RRA, BankAtlantic, Velez Capital Management, Gamer Doc, Off the Hookah, Corona, Premier Beverage, Palm Aire Country Club, PF Changs, Cheney Brothers, Credit Restoration Consultants, Marriot Delray Beach, Ziamond, Euro Motorsports, Russomanno, Krispy Kreme, Gallery Art, Penn State Fort Lauderdale Chapter, Budlight, Blue Martini, Fat Tuesdays and many more.  There was not a shortage of snacks and beverages with over 15 local bars, restaurants and distributors sponsoring the event. 

Jack Daniels was one of the beverage sponsors

The Hooters girls serving up some wings and pasta salad on the 9th hole

A highlight of the course, was “ OJ’s 19th Hole”, sponsored by BankAtlantic.  Gamer Doc provided entertainment, and music was heard all around.  Also at this hole was a full bar and many food vendors.  It was a spot to go try your swing at a hole-in-one for the chance to win a brand new custom luxury vehicle valued at over $90,000, donated by Euro Motorsports. 

OJ taking a swing with entertainment provided by Gamer Doc

At the 19th hole, prior Dolphins and Giants player, Sam Madison commented, “I played ball with OJ for a few years.  He always raises money for the kids.  This is what keeps me going to come out here and support”.  Everyone had fun time at the 19th Hole where the party was on-going throughout the entire tournament.  Families, sponsors, players and celebrities got to spend some quality time together here.

Sam Madison

Celebrity Chris Kirkpatrick was glad to be out on the course as a supporter of OJ and the Foundation.  Kirkpatrick has a new band called Nigels 11.  His two other band members Ernie Longoria and Mike Bosch were out on the course all day as well.  Their new album will be coming out soon.

Chris Kirkpatrick with the rest of his band members of Nigels 11

Cajun food was a great addition to the 19th Hole

Following completion of the celebrity golf tournament, everyone headed back to the Country Club to conclude with a buffet dinner, raffle, and a wrap-up of the Celebrity Golf Classic experience. 

Many contests were held throughout the day which included: Closest to the Pin, Hole in One, and 1st,2nd and 3rd place for the Teams.  Raffle and prize items included tickets, autographed memorabilia, monetary prizes, trophies and a Nintendo Wii. 

Ki-Jana Carter accepting his Wii for the longest drive

Founder of the Catch 81 Foundation, OJ McDuffie was one of NFL’s best receivers in the 1990’s.  In 1998, he led the NFL in receptions, and was the Miami Dolphin’s MVP in 1997 and 1998.  Currently, he is still the fourth all-time receiver in Miami Dolphin history.  Dan Marino stated, that OJ “was probably the toughest guy I had ever played with”.  Nicknamed “ Juice”, OJ is a graduate of Penn State and began his career with the Miami Dolphins in the first round draft in 1993.  He continued to play for the Dolphins throughout his nine year career in the NFL. 

OJ McDuffie, founder of the OJ McDuffie Catch 81 Foundation

The Catch 81 Foundation was founded by OJ in July 2006, however, even prior to this, OJ has been a supporter of many non-profit organizations.  The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and The Boys and Girls Club ( NFL/YET Center) are just a few to name.

Jay Fiedler (R)

Tyrone Hilliard and Gloria McDuffie

The mission of the Catch 81 Foundation is to provide financial assistance for the disadvantaged youth throughout the South Florida community.  Many fundraisers and donations have successfully benefited the Sheridan House Single Parent Ministries, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Alonzo Mourning Holiday Party, American Cancer Society- Relay for Life, the Joe DiMaggio Hospital for Children, The Boys and Girls Club, NFL YET Center, and the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.

Lou Bufo with Tyrone Hilliard

The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance is dedicated to find a cure for Tuberous Sclerosis and also helping and improving the life of those affected.  Currently, the cause of TSC is unknown and there is no cure for the genetic disorder that causes tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs.  An estimated 1 in 6,000 live births have TSC.  This is approximately 50,000 people in the US and more than 1 million worldwide.  Often, it is first seen in children who have two neurological symptoms – epileptic seizures and/or a range of mental handicaps, although it may develop later in life. 

For more information on sponsorship, donations or anything relations to the Celebrity Golf Classic or Foundations, you may contact the OJ McDuffie Catch 81 Foundation at (877) JUICE-01 (877-584-8779) or go to www.catch81foundation.org or www.tsalliance.org