Held May 21-22 in Norman, Okla., the seventh annual
Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic raised close to $600,000. The fundraiser was comprised of a dinner, auction, concert and golf tournament. In its seven years, the event has raised almost $3 million for Oklahoma children battling cancer and their families.
Larry the Cable Guy was the resident emcee and David Allen Coe headlined. Toby Keith and Phil Vassar also performed.
Top draws in the auction included dinner for 20 with Keith. He agreed to do two dinners, one for each of the top bidders at $28,000 a piece. A Super Bowl package went for $16,000 and top silent auction items included a canvas of Keith featuring the lyrics to "Cryin' For Me (Wayman's Song)" for $3,900; Vikings and Jets Brett Favre jerseys at $4,100; and a Cal Ripken, Jr., package that brought in $3,500.
Pros For Africa and Whitten-Newman Foundation Co-Founder Reggie Whitten donated a custom Triumph Rocket III motorcycle, autographed by NFL stars Tommie Harris (Bears), Adrian Peterson (Vikings), Roy Williams (Bengals) and Mark Clayton (Ravens). The bike sold for $40,000, and Whitten intends to make the cycle donation an annual occurrence because, in his words, "Triumph" is exactly what he wants the sick children of Oklahoma to do.
Proceeds from this year's event will help fund the OK Kids Korral 16-room guest lodge, which will house pediatric cancer patients and their families on the grounds of Oklahoma University Medical Center. Completion is expected in 2012 for the 30,000 square foot facility.
Source: CountryStandardTime.com
