Before breaking out as a solo country music star, Darius Rucker was the front man for one of the most recognizable rock groups of the late 1990s and early 2000s: Hootie and the Blowfish. Once the band, which came together in the late 1980s at the University of South Carolina, had become a household name, Rucker and his bandmates Mark Bryan, Dean Felber and Jim Sonefeld began hosting an annual charity golf tournament in 1994. During the first few years, the event took place in Columbia, South Carolina, but as it grew and began attracting professional golfers and celebrities, the band decided to move the fun tournament down to Myrtle Beach. The Hootie and the Blowfish Foundation was established in 2000 and has remained the beneficiary of Monday After the Masters ever since. This year’s tournament will be played at the Dye Club at Barefoot Resort.
With more than two decades of history, the event is one of the top gatherings on an increasingly busy celebrity golf schedule. The 2017 event will take place on April 10 and promises to bring one of the strongest fields in its history. A great mix of current PGA Tour players, PGA Tour Champions stars and others will descend on the Grand Strand this year. Planned participants include professionals Billy Horschel, Troy Merritt, Will Wilcox, Ken Duke, Chesson Hadley, John Daly, Woody Austin, Charlie Rymer, Nancy Lopez, Chris DiMarco, and South Carolina-born pros DJ Trahan and Kyle Thompson.
The celebrity portion of the field is full of well-known names in its own right. In addition to the Hootie and the Blowfish regulars, Colt Ford, Joey Fatone, Edwin McCain and Cole Swindell will be representing the music industry. Well-known athletes will be in attendance as well — NFL greats such as Jim McMahon, Sterling Sharpe and Bruce Smith will appear, as will former Los Angeles Dodgers closer Eric Gagne and Grant Fuhr, one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. Beloved personalities like weatherman Jim Cantore, actor/comedian Jackie Flynn, actor Kevin Sorbo and TV personality Dan Patrick help round out the field, with others. And as in past years, ESPN radio host Mike Golic will be on hand.
This entertaining pro-celebrity-am event comprises more than 30 teams, each consisting of four amateur participants, one pro golfer and one celebrity in a scramble format. It will be far less competitive than the major championship it follows; rather, the focus is on camaraderie, philanthropy and interaction with the thousands of fans who come out to see their favorite golfers and celebrities up close and in an informal setting.
The driving force behind the event is the Hootie and The Blowfish Foundation, which supports education initiatives in the state of South Carolina. In addition, some proceeds from the event will go to the South Carolina Junior Golf Foundation, administered by the South Carolina Golf Association.
For more information about the 2017 Hootie and the Blowfish Monday After the Masters Pro-Am, visit. To book a round at the host Dye Club at Barefoot Resort and dozens of other great area courses, visit myrtlebeachgolf.com.