Kelly, others continue to help rebuild Gulf Coast

text size

Badz/PGA TOUR

Jerry Kelly, with the help of others, continues to grow a charity tournament put on to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Three years ago Jerry Kelly and PGA TOUR rules official Mickey Bradley were eating gumbo and having a beverage when an idea hit them. Why not put together a pro-am for the Katrina victims in Mickey's native Mississippi?

While most ideas tossed around under these situations tend to end up in the gumbo, this one had legs -- if only for the commitment of the two gentlemen involved.

Bradley's job was to set up a course and get some people to agree to pay to play with whatever TOUR players were available. Kelly's job was to get as many players as possible.

Quick work was made in both instances and within a month a tournament with more than a dozen TOUR players was held. The success of that first event, with more than $75,000 raised, inspired the duo to push for more.

More

• John Maginnes column archive • Give us your take on Facebook

The third annual event was held earlier this month on the Monday after the Children's Miracle Network Classic and it too surpassed all expectations. Three houses built with the proceeds of the first event now house Katrina victims. In a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and 84 Lumber, who supplies materials for the housing effort, Bradley and Kelly have been able to see the fruits of their labor firsthand.

TOUR players generally are compensated for their time when it comes to charity outings. These days a player's time is worth more than money. Said Kelly: "Having the event following the last tournament of the year, you would have thought that it would be tough to get guys to come, but they have really been supportive. Of course you would like to fly home with your family following Disney to start the offseason, but this event is too important to miss."

That seems to be the prevailing sentiment from players like Heath Slocum, Bob Tway, Anthony Kim and John Daly, among others who support this event. "Once you see the work that has been done and the impact that this tournament makes, it makes it easier to come back year after year," Kelly said. "Aside from that, it is a heck of a lot of fun; the food is out of this world."

The Beau Rivage Casino stepped up to house the visiting TOUR players, and the local community put on quite a spread. With all of the traditional Cajun dishes, this event is rapidly becoming known for its hospitality (and calories). To the local community and the TOUR community, it has become known for much more.

The TOUR has long been known for its charitable efforts. However, this event comprised of players and officials is independent of the parent organization. It was born out of a mutual desire to help those who lost it all in the area that was last to receive recognition for the trauma caused by Katrina. Out of respect for Bradley and a desire to help, players have stepped forward for three years to make sure that no one is left behind.

If this seems surprising, it is important to remember that the TOUR is a traveling community of its own. While the players are independent contractors all vying for rewards in an individual sport, there is a community-at-large that includes all.

Rebuilding the infrastructure of the Gulf Coast is an ongoing process and there is still a lot of work to do. Yet significant progress has been made and much of the area is enjoying a rebirth.

With that in mind, this year's event shifted a small portion of its focus to the youths of the area and donated a portion of the proceeds to junior golf. Through efforts like Bradley's pro-am, the ongoing clean up and rebirth in Mississippi will be complete.

With the help of his friends, Bradley is seeking to ensure that every young person in the community who wants it will have access to golf. It is certain that many have already been inspired during the last three years by the annual visit of some of the game's most generous and best players.

If you are an amateur player who likes great food and a better time with some of your favorite players, we will keep you posted on how you can become involved next year. The opportunity to catch some of the best players in golf wearing shorts and eating gumbo is worth far more than the price of a pro-am spot.

To join them in pulling together for a good cause, knowing that they have volunteered their time, will be an experience you won't soon forget.

John Maginnes is a columnist for PGATOUR.COM. His opinion does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the PGA TOUR.