North Carolina State U.’s Lonnie Poole golf course played host to the 17th annual Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic on Sunday as celebrities and volunteers joined forces to raise money for cancer research. 13,352 spectators took part in honoring the late Jim Valvano by attending the event. According to Frank McCann, executive director of the tournament and a long-time friend of Valvano’s, the golf classic was actually the idea of the former Wolfpack basketball coach.
“This event was part of Jim’s vision,” McCann said. “We put the blueprints for this event together while he was sick. He wanted to have an event that would kick off the foundation in its early years and he wanted an event to raise significant funds for cancer research. We sat down and put this thing together, and what we have today is actually Jim’s vision.”
One of the most beloved figures in Wolfpack history, Valvano was diagnosed with bone cancer in June of 1992. The native of Queens, N.Y. was best known for winning the 1983 National Championship and the enthusiastic personality that epitomized his teams.
“Many of us know Jim was a man of visions, goals and dreams,” McCann said. “His dream was to have this event continue to raise funds for cancer research in order to fight this terrible disease.”
Now in its 17th year, the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic has raised over $15 million for cancer research. All in all, the V Foundation has raised over $100 million, with 100 percent of all proceeds going directly to cancer research.
“Our goal was to raise $400,000 in this year’s golf tournament,” McCann said. “Hopefully within the next week or so, we will come to the realization that we accomplished our goal.”
Along with donations, attendance also drastically rose from last year. Nearly 2,500 more spectators attended this year’s event compared to last year.
“Attendance was excellent,” McCann said. “We were very pleased with the number of people who came to support the cause. The entire event is about the community, celebrities, sponsors and volunteers all pulling together for one cause: raising funds for cancer research. We are just very, very thrilled.”
After hosting the tournament at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary for 13 years, McCann and other directors wanted to bring the event closer to the University. The opening of Lonnie Poole golf course in 2009 provided the foundation with a perfect site to play host to the annual event.
“It was our intention to bring the event back home to where it belongs,” McCann said. “I cannot say more glowing comments about the folks at Lonnie Poole and N.C. State. They have both been absolutely incredible in their support.”
In addition to the golf tournament, “V Week” featured several other events.
The fifth annual Racquets for Research event, a tennis tournament held at Raleigh Racquet Club, featured the 2001 men’s Wimbledon doubles champions Don Johnson and Jared Palmer.
Hundreds of supporters participated in a reverse raffle with hopes of winning the top prize: a brand new BMW.
The “Jimmy V Cruise to Key West” featured a tropical-themed party held at the Raleigh Convention Center and offered supporters the opportunity to enjoy music and games.
“We are really ecstatic with the turnout this year,” Dixon said. “With the golf tournament, tennis event and the reverse raffle, we were collectively able to raise a lot of money. We were pleased with the celebrities and sponsors that came out to show their support also.”
Year after year, the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic continues to bring the community together to support cancer research. Although it was once again a success, more research is still necessary to find a cure for the disease that took Valvano’s life and has affected millions of other people’s lives as well.
“As Jim said during his ESPY speech, we need your help,” said McCann. “Every donation helps. If people want to contribute one dollar, five dollars or one hundred dollars, every little bit helps the foundation’s cause.”