Julie McCombs
Tim Merritt, CEO/co-founder of oobe, presents an $80,000 check to the BMW Pro-Am Charities during Tuesday's media day announcing the celebrities and format of the May 15-18 tournament. Bob Nitto, center and Max Metcalf of South Carolina Charities, Inc., accept the check.
Bill Engvall of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour will be amon the 25 celebrities announced Tuesday for the BMW Pro-Am holf tournament.
Dennis Haysbert of '24' will join his cast partner Greg Ellis at the May 15-18 tournament.
The tournament is May 15-18 at Thornblade Club, The Reserve at Lake Keowee and, new this year, Green Valley Country Club.
First-time participants include Jonathan Banks (“Breaking Bad”), Golf Channel broadcaster Lisa Cornwell, Debbe Dunning (“Home Improvement”), actor/comedian Bill Engvall, Allstate spokesman and actor Dennis Haysbert (“24”), actor Richard Karn (“Home Improvement”), Jordan Masterson (“Last Man Standing”), two-time Super Bowl champion Jim McMahon, sportscaster and model Win McMurry and Rob Riggle (“The Hangover”).
Returning celebrities include Anthony Anderson (“Guys with Kids”), musician Steve Azar, Catherine Bell (“Army Wives”), Andy Buckley (“The Office”), Jeffrey Donovan (“Burn Notice”), Greg Ellis (“24”), Oliver Hudson (“Nashville”), musician Josh Kelley, Greg Kinnear (“Rake”), Danny Masterson (“Men at Work”), John O'Hurley (“Seinfield”), Michael Pena (“Shooter”), Paula Trickey (“The O.C.”), Gary Valentine (“Here Comes the Boom” ) and Patrick Warburton (“Rules of Engagement”).
"This year's celebrity list features a great group of new faces as well as names, like Catherine Bell and Greg Kinnear, who are returning for the first time in several years," said Darin MacDonald, executive director of South Carolina Charities, Inc., the non-profit that manages the tournament. “Add to that a fantastic group of core names who love the Upstate and make a point to participate year after year, and I think we've got our best list to date.”
Three featured celebrity groupings who will play together Thursday through Saturday and the six lowest-scoring celebrities will advance to Sunday's final round.
The two pro-celebrity teams paired are comedian duo O'Hurley and Engvall, Tool Time duo Karn and Dunning from “Home Improvement” and actor-brother pairing Danny and Jordan Masterson.
"Watching the celebrities interact with one another on the course is something we've never seen before. These changes are sure to make memorable moments for the spectators, Golf Channel viewers and the celebrities themselves," said Bob Nitto, president of South Carolina Charities, Inc.
The Celebrity Walk of Fame is Thursday, May 15, from 6:45-7:45 p.m. The event, which will be emceed by actor/comedian Gary Valentine, will take place on Main Street in front of the Courtyard Greenville Downtown.