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Web.com professionals will be paired with amateurs and celebrities during the BMW Pro-Am.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers Super Bowl Champion XLV (2010 season), and former Atlanta Braves Chipper Jones, All-Star and World Series Champion (1995) will headline the celebrities announced Thursday for the May 15-21 tournament that pairs Web.com Tour amateurs with professionals.
Thornblade Club, The Preserve at Verdae and Furman University Golf Club will be part of one of four test tournaments to use a distance measuring devices during competition. The PGA will study the data and may lead the PGA Tour to a new technical dimension.
“Tournament week is going to once again be packed with sport and entertainment,” stated Bob Nitto, president, BMW Charity Pro-Am. “The economic impact the event has on the Upstate is substantial, all the while benefitting some very worthwhile charitable organizations. It’s a one-of-a-kind combination for our community, and we are grateful for the enthusiastic support the tournament and related events receive.”
• Wednesday, May 17, 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Executive Women’s Day at Furman University’s Trone Student Center. The event will include a panel discussion for women, by women. Keynote speaker is Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run. Purchase tickets through South Carolina Charities Director of Sales, Linda Johnson (864.517.2383; [email protected]).
• Thursday, May 18, 6-10 p.m., free celebrity concert on Main Street in downtown Greenville.
• Friday, May 19, $250 private ticketed concert ($250) includes musical entertainment, menu by Larkin’s on the River and beverages. Purchase tickets through Linda Johnson.
• Thursday through Sunday, May 18-21, tournament. Pairings to be announced.
Last year’s tournament charities received $676,252 from last year’s event. More than $12 million has been raised since the inaugural 2001 Pro-Am.
Volunteers can contact Macy Covington at [email protected].
Confirmed celebrity roster as of April 20
Baseball
Jose Alvarez, Boston Red Sox, Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels
Josh Beckett, Florida Marlins, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers
Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves
Paul O’Neil, Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees
Russ Ortiz, San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros
Tim Wakefield, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox
Football
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Olympians
Dan Jansen, speed skating, Olympic and World champion
Broadcaster
Tim Brando, FOX
Comedian
Larry the Cable Guy (Daniel Lawrence Whitney)
Scott Henry
Fashion Designer
Lisa O’Hurley
Music artists
Steve Azar, country music
Chris Barron, The Spin Doctors (performing Friday night)
Mark Bryan, Hootie and The Blowfish
Colt Ford, Country music
Preston Pohl, The Voice
Television
Andy Buckley, “Odd Man Out”
Carmine Giovinazzo, “Criminal Minds/CSI: NY”
Richard Karn “Home Improvement”
John O’Hurley, “Seinfeld”
Alfonso Ribeiro, host (“America’s Funniest Home Videos”
Gary Valentine, “Kevin Can Wait”
Justin Wheelon, Emmy Award-winning producer