17th Annual South Walton Celebrity Golf Classic

Big names in sports and entertainment will travel to the stunning beaches of Northwest Florida for the 17th Annual South Walton Celebrity Golf Classic, Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2013. The premier celebrity golf tournament raises funds for the Working Warrior Nation, which helps the country's veterans find meaningful employment and achieve economic independence. Returning to Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, the tournament will be played on the Baytowne Golf Club and Raven Golf Club courses and feature celebrity events held at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.
 
"This event is celebrating its 17th year and has built a strong reputation among golfers and celebrities," said Tournament Director Charlie Haje. "We're excited to be back at Sandestin and working with some great celebrities who are eager to support our nation's heroes."
 
The two-day event includes a 36-hole format over two courses, and features talented sports and entertainment celebrities. LPGA player Jane Park, Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees Phil Niekro and Bill Mazeroski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks and Major League Baseball player, Don Larsen, who pitched the only perfect game in the history of the World Series, are among the many sports celebrities and athletes that will be participating this year. Notable personalities from the entertainment industry, including Patrick Warburton, who played Elaine's on-again, off-again boyfriend on the hit sitcom Seinfeld and Audrey's husband Jeff on the sitcom Rules of Engagement and Grammy nominated jazz musician and saxophonist Ski Johnson will join many others to lend their time and talents for a great cause.
 
Players will play two award-winning Sandestin golf courses. The Raven Golf Club, home to the 2006 and 2007 Boeing Championship part of the PGA Champions Tour, is masterfully designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. to complement the marshes and pine trees of the Northwest Florida landscape. The visually stunning 6,900-yard, par 71 course has been recognized among the "Best Tour Courses You Can Play" by Golfweek. Players will also tee off at the Baytowne Golf Club, which takes players from the beach to the bay and boasts the only elevation change course in the area. Designed by Tom Jackson, the 6,805 yard, par 71 course was twice hailed by Golf Digest as one of the "Places to Play" with a 4 ½ star rating.
 
There are several celebrity events that will be held throughout the tournament, including the Thursday evening welcome reception and Friday night Celebrity Gala, including a comedy show and live and silent auction. On Saturday afternoon, players and their guests will relax and celebrate their achievement during the post-round cookout and awards ceremony at the Raven Golf Club. At 7 p.m. tournament players will enjoy a live comedy show and concert at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, featuring comedian Henry Cho. Cho has been a standup comedian for nearly 30 years and has enjoyed appearances on many sitcoms as well as a starring role in the TV movie "Revenge of the Nerds III: The Next Generation." A limited number of tickets are available to the public for the Saturday evening performance for $50/stadium seating with a cash bar and $300/VIP seating inclusive of food, drinks and back stage access.
 
Registration for the tournament closes on Sept. 30, 2013. Special lodging rates are available through tournament sponsors--Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Hilton Sandestin and Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The South Walton Celebrity Golf Classic is made possible by its sponsors, including Visit South Walton, Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Wyndham Vacation Rentals, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Edward Jones, Hertz, Buffalo Rock, Mitsubishi Electric, and Showtime Events. For more information and to register, visit www.SouthWaltonCelebrityGolfClassic.com or call Tournament Director Charlie Haje at 850-259-6334.

View SoWal Events Calendar here.