Sports celebrities return for fundraiser

For nearly 20 years, the Darrel Chaney Invitational golf tournament presented by United Way of White County has been raising thousand of dollars annually to benefit more than 16 local non-profit agencies that serve the community, including Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross and White County Caring and Sharing.

Named for former major league baseball player Darrel Chaney, who played professionally for the Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves, the event has grown into the largest fundraiser of its kind in the North Georgia Mountains.

“Not too bad for this little community,” Chaney said via email earlier this week. “We have had a wide range of celebrities (come to White County) from the NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR and the Olympics.”

Known as the Darrel Chaney Invitational Celebrity Event since 2018, the tournament will take place at Innsbruck Resort and Golf Club in Helen April 11-12.

While this year’s celebrity lineup is still being set, past participants have included Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro, Hall of Fame manager Bobby Cox, former NFL stars Tommy Nobis, Billy “White Shoes” Johnson, NASCAR legend Bill Elliott, Olympians Mel Pender, Ralph Boston and Steve Lundquist, as well as numerous University of Georgia and Georgia Tech alumni.

“One of the reasons the event is so successful is that we also invite the companions and spouses of our celebrities,” Chaney said.  “While we are out golfing they tour the area, have lunch, wine taste, shop etc. They all have a wonderful day and tell their husbands and companions, ‘You will go back to this event next year because, I had a great time, too!’”

The tradition began 18 years ago, when Chaney spoke at a church in Cleveland.

Chaney was part of the “Big Red Machine,” coached by the legendary Sparky Anderson. He played alongside Reds legends Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Davy Concepcion, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Ken Griffey, Sr. Later, he served the Atlanta Braves organization as both a player and broadcaster.

Following his talk, Chaney was approached by Bill Sutton Jr. about starting a celebrity golf tournament to benefit United Way of White County.

Chaney recalled that he was the sole celebrity in attendance for the inaugural event.

The next year, approximately 20 celebrity athletes were in attendance.

In addition to golf, the event includes a VIP reception, awards dinner and memorabilia auction with live entertainment hosted by Bigg Daddys at Holiday Inn Express and Suites.

This year, numerous golf certificates have been donated to United Way and will be available for purchase.

“You may bid, or there is a ‘buy now’ price,” said Bill Campbell, one of the organizers. “There will be 15 different golf course certificates available at excellent values.”

Tickets to the awards dinner are $50.00 each. The cost for a three member team is $825.00 which includes six tickets to the awards dinner. Go to unitedwaywhitecounty.org to sign up or call Bill Sutton at 706-244-6717 or Judy Granger at 706 892-6507 for more information.