WHO: Several current and former D-backs players, coaches and staff including:
Derrick Hall, D-backs President & CEO
Tony La Russa, D-backs Chief Baseball Officer
Luis Gonzalez, D-backs legend and special assistant to the president & CEO
J.J. Putz, D-backs special assistant to the president & CEO
Captain Jack Ensch, D-backs Military Affairs Specialist
De Jon Watson, D-backs Senior Vice President of Baseball Operations
D-backs broadcasters: Greg Schulte, Tom Candiotti, Rodrigo Lopez
D-backs coaches: Chip Hale, Dave McKay, Glenn Sherlock
D-backs players: Chase Anderson, Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa, Daniel Hudson, Evan Marshall, Chris Owings, Braden Shipley, A.J. Schugel
D-backs alumni: Joel Adamson, Scott Brow, Jason Conti, Shea Hillenbrand, Conor Jackson, Augie Ojeda, Stephen Randolph, Cody Ransom, Reggie Sanders, Joe Saunders, Chris Snyder, Brandon Webb
Special Guests: ASU Head Baseball Coach Tracy Smith, Colorado Rockies Coach Rene Lachemann, Oakland
Athletics coach Curt Young, and MLB player/coach Mike Gallego
WHAT: The fifth annual D-backs Celebrity Golf Classic, presented by Sanderson Ford, will be hosted by pitcher Daniel Hudson this Friday beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Whirlwind Golf Club. The tournament was created to raise funds to support initiatives that improve the lives of our military heroes through the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation and is held the Friday of Veterans Day weekend each year.
Since 2011, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has donated more than $500,000 to important local organizations including Military Assistance Mission, Folds of Honor Foundation, Soldier’s Best Friend, Honor Flight, Marine Corp Scholarship Foundation, USO, Packages From Home, Rebuilding Together, Madison Street Veterans, and Fighter Country Partnership among others.
Throughout the day’s events, participants and guests will have the opportunity to mingle with D-backs players, alumni, coaches and broadcasters as well as military heroes. The national anthem and welcome will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at 11:00 a.m. The tournament will feature unique contests such as a longest drive with a baseball bat, closest to the pin with a golf ball launcher – which can launch up to 400 yards – and a glass putting green courtesy of Safelite.
Immediately following the tournament, at approximately 4:30PM, there will be a VIP after-party presented by Budweiser and hosted by Mike Bauer, which will include a Veteran’s Day Salute, dinner, silent auction, a unique presentation of awards to foursomes and a musical performance by the Walkens.
The unique celebrity tournament rewards top golfers with great prizes including bicycles, autographed memorabilia, custom D-backs golf equipment and items from the Budweiser Prize Vault. The silent auction will include autographed sports memorabilia from icons such as Randy Johnson, Paul Goldschmidt, A.J. Pollock, Nolan Ryan, Kobe Bryant, Magic Johnson, Jerry Rice, Russell Wilson, Rob Gronkowski, J.J. Watt, Cal Ripken Jr., Jack Nicklaus and many more. Upon arrival, tournament participants will receive an amazing hospitality package that includes customized engraved baseball bat, personalized D-backs Stars & Stripes jersey, Tony La Russa autographed baseball, a custom golf jacket, personalized baseball card photo keepsake, patriotic D-backs caps donated by New Era and Levy and a chance to win one of four hole-in one cars on the course. Daylong hospitality on site is sponsored by Budweiser, Pepsi, Arizona Milk Producers, Southern Wine and Spirits and Zipps Sports Grills.
WHEN: This Friday, November 6
10:00 a.m. – Media availability with D-backs current players, coaches and alumni
10:30 a.m. – National Anthem and Welcome
11:00 a.m. – Shotgun start
WHERE: Whirlwind Golf Club
5692 W. North Loop Rd.
Chandler, Ariz. 85226
