Celebrity Golf Tournament-Stacy McCloud

Celebrities tee off for charity.

Two different celebrity golf tournaments were held in the mid-state Monday.

One tournament was hosted by up and coming country artist Chuck Wicks.

The other by country legend Charlie Daniels.

Both had the same purpose, to raise money for a good cause.

Charlie Daniels hit the green at Gaylord Springs to benefit the TJ Martell Foundation- a non-profit created to raise money for cancer and AIDS research.

It's part of a promise, Dad Tony, a well known music executive, made to his dying son.

Charlie Daniels says, "He lost his son very early to leukemia he had to watch his son slowly die and at the time there was very little they could do. His son, TJ, asked him before he died if he would raise money, will you raise $1 million to fight leukemia."

Tony Martell took those words to heart and what started as a fundraising effort
supported by the music industry, quickly turned into a community and now nationwide effort.

"Anything you can do for charity to give back to community. Wirtgen always tries to do that and does that and does that well."

Daniels didn't pick one team to pay with.

Instead he went hole to hole, putting and posing for pictures.

He says, "I go around and aggravate everyone keep em in line. I am an inspiration to everyone cause when they see me hit .. you just do the exact opposite of what I did and you will play good."

Like Daniels, most teams were in a fundraising state of mind, where winning was more of a joke than an option.

The same "all in the name of charity" attitude was in full swing at Temple Hills Country Club in Franklin for the 7th annual Nashville State Community College Celebrity Golf Classic.

"I don't even know what I'm doing to be honest. I figured if I had the hat, the glove, all the correct attire, I thought I could play a little better .. but I am wrong so far."

Celebrities, including Luna Halos, Nathan Barlow, Chuck Wicks, and the band Love and Theft, along with industry professionals and sponsors teed off in the name of education.

Fun on the fairway for two great causes.

Charlie Daniels' event also included an awards reception complete with a mini concert from Daniels-his way of saying thank you to the players.

The legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson, was the largest donor in the 34 year history of the foundation.

For more information on the TJ Martell Foundation or the NSCC Scholarship fund, click on the FOX LINKS section of this website.Celebrity Golf Tournament-Stacy McCloud