Jimmy V tournament helps raise $500K in return to Triangle

North Carolina State University

Jimmy V tournament helps raise $500K in return to Triangle

Aug 16, 2009

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After a two-year stint in Pinehurst, the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic returned to the Triangle on Sunday, combining celebrity sightings with fundraising for cancer research.

“It’s back home,” N.C. State head coach Sidney Lowe said during his round Sunday afternoon, “and it’s where it should be…I’m excited that N.C. State and Jimmy V are together.”

The tournament was held at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary for 13 years before moving to Pinehurst two years ago. The recent opening of the Lonnie Poole Golf Course on North Carolina State University’s Centennial Campus provided an opportunity for the event to link up with the university where Jim Valvano, the tournament's namesake, achieved fame and established his legacy.

This year, the foundation has added a more "personal" touch to the marketing of its on-going fight against cancer.

"The theme that we’ve created here of making it personal – if you think about it, almost anything of real substance in life that happens, happens because someone has a real personal passion about it," said Bob Valvano, Jim's younger brother. "It touches all of us, and if you channel all of that passion in the right direction, we can win this thing."

Valvano led the N.C. State basketball team to the NCAA national championship in 1983. A decade later, his battle with cancer in which he implored people to "never, ever give up," provided the impetus for the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the annual golf tournament fundraiser.

Valvano's brother, Nick Valvano, said more than 11,000 people attended Sunday's tournament, and that over the course of the five-day event, more than $500,000 was raised for the V Foundation.

In its previous 15 years, the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic has donated approximately $14 Million to the foundation.

The event always includes a heavy dose of sports and entertainment celebrities, such as actor Dennis Haysbert of "The Unit," CBS Sports announcer Tim Brando, Carolina Hurricanes players Rod Brind’Amour, Erik Cole, Joe Corvo and Chad LaRose, ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, actress Kimberlin Brown from “The Young and the Restless” and former Miami Dolphins kicker Gary Yepremian.

From the basketball world, N.C. State coach Sidney Lowe, former Wolfpack star Terry Gannon Virginia Tech basketball coach Seth Greenberg, College of Charleston basketball coach Bobby Cremins, former Duke University coach Bucky Waters and former Boston Celtics player and coach M.L. Carr participated.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Jimmy V tournament helps raise $500K in return to Triangle

It's "Garo Yepremian" not Gary. He's from Greece. His full name is Garabed Sarkis "Garo" Yepremian. He played in the NFL from 1966-1981. He also was a member of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. He was one of the greatest kickers to have ever played in the NFL. "Garo".

RE: Jimmy V tournament helps raise $500K in return to Triangle

More money for cancer research and more money for the Jimmy V Board of Trustees.

RE: Jimmy V tournament helps raise $500K in return to Triangle

I think it's great that State can host this event - it couldn't be more fitting. As for having more celebrities, maybe it's because Raleigh is still viewed as "Mayberry" on the national scene, as far as venues go. Its a great cause and I'm glad they hold this event each year.

devilishhockeygirl - where have you been? edits and I are going to the Canes Day in September - hope you can go.

RE: Jimmy V tournament helps raise $500K in return to Triangle

'Hokie 94':
I guess I'm with you...Lowe could do much better to grab the spotlight...hmmm

The real sore spot about this whole 'Jimmy V' article?!?
The continuous lack of real celebrity participation!!!
I have always been a supporter of the Jimmy V foundation and have even worked a few of the 'Classics'...
huge supporter here.

What's sad to me, is how we consistently see NCState something-or-others, and MANY NC Hurricanes players, etc., and that's about IT for real celebrities these past few Jimmy V Classics. Sad.

Sorry, but I think the area's fans/supporters would be more apt to throw money at this wonderful organization IF it was TRULY a CELEBRITY Golf Classic.
Anyone in the area can catch a Hurricanes game and Lowe is far from an NCState celebrity yet...

Give me Costner again, give me ANYONE that hits the big screen...we're all about sports in this area and we can see any one of those celebrities each season...

GIVE US SOMEONE NEW "Jimmy V"!!!!!

RE: Jimmy V tournament helps raise $500K in return to Triangle

cocky ? give me a break, go outside and do some pushups..

WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina State University