Reflector Article
June 2000
Nancy McGillicuddy

They'd never met before this weekend but by the 18th hole, Vince Gill and Parker Overton cheered each other on like old pals.

"Get up there baby - dance," Overton yelled after one of Gill's balls midway through the first round of the Michael Jordan Celebrity Golf Classic.

Saturday was the first round in the 16th annual tournament that to date has raised $1.8 million for North Carolina Ronald McDonald Houses.

The event affords sponsors of higher caliber donations to tee off with sports, entertainment and media celebrities.

Overton, owner of Overton's Sports Center, has sponsored the event for seven years.

"You just have to do this if you are in the community," he said. "This is one of the best causes. You've got to do this kind of stuff for the community, you've got to give back."

Overton, who said his golf game "doesn't exist" due to a 16 stroke handicap, was somewhat of a local celebrity as he zipped from hole to hole in his golf cart.

"Oh, I just love Vince Gill," said Doris Flannagan, whose house overlooks the greens. "I love Parker just as much. I taught him in the fourth grade."

Marion Kent, who played from gold sponsor Sprint, said this is his third year playing in the tournament.

His first year he played with Jordan. Last year he played with "Guiding Light" actress Kim Zimmer and this year it was Gill and Grant.

The lines between celebrity and sponsor blurred as the team talked, joked and putted.

"Golf kind of does that to you," Kent said.

One hole in front of the Gill-Grant team was Ray Allen, guard for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Allen's strokes were frequently followed by the plentiful "nice shot, Ray," from spectators and sponsors alike.

Teresa Salle sat on the course not far from her home and cheered for every team.

"When these people come out here and there's no one to cheer - I think that is so sad," she said.

So Salle waited for everyone and cheered for them all, Jordan or no Jordan.

"I do it for support," she said. "It's nice to see the stars and all, but we have to remember they are out here for a good cause."

By the end of the day that good cause had already gained an additional $100,000 from sponsor Alltel, whose CEO, Linton Arrowood, offered the check to Jordan at a press conference Saturday morning.

Last year the tournament raised $250,000, and this year's total figures are not yet determined.

Aside from the dollar amount, donations also were measured in volunteer time.

"It's not about the money," Overton said. "All these volunteers are out here working so hard. The good Lord has given us so much, and you're supposed to share. That's what life's all about."

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