Toby Keith’s “Golf Classic” Fundraiser Will Continue In His Honor
(Main Photo) Jeff Kravitz / ACMA2018 / FilmMagic for ACM / Getty Images / (Inlay) Toby Keith / Facebook
The Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic Prepares To Honor Toby & Celebrate Its 20th Anniversary
Toby Keith’s annual “Golf Classic” charity fundraiser is continuing in his honor this year.
Keith hosted the Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic for 19 years before his death on February 5, 2024. The event raises money for his namesake foundation and the OK Kids Korral.
The event will celebrate Keith this year as it also marks its 20th anniversary.
A post on Keith’s social media pages on Monday (May 20) announced the Golf Classic’s return. It read, “This year we’re celebrating 20 years of the Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic and 10 years of the OK Kids Korral! Help us honor Toby and continue this legacy.”
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Music Row reports that the Golf Classic will be held in Norman, Oklahoma, from May 31–June 1.
Eli Young Band, a former opener for Keith and member of his record label Show Dog Nashville, will headline the dinner and auction held on May 31 at the Riverwind Casino. According to the post on Keith’s social media pages, you can currently bid on some of the silent auction items, including Zach Bryan concert tickets and signed memorabilia from celebrities such as Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce and the late singer Jimmy Buffett.
Music Row quoted Juliet Nees-Bright, the Executive Director of The Toby Keith Foundation, who said:
“The first ‘Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic’ was held under a tent and people recall the ‘mud pit’ being one of the best parts. Toby and his friends came together that year to raise money for children with cancer and they did it while having fun. Now, 20 years later, we are getting ready to host our first event without Toby acting as the emcee, ribbing us to donate and entertaining us throughout the night. This year will be a balancing act as we remember him, but also honor his wishes to continue throwing one hell of a party. Let’s make Toby proud!”
What Is The OK Kids Korral?
Keith opened the OK Kids Korral in his home state of Oklahoma in 2014. The Korral serves as a cost-free home-away-from-home for pediatric cancer patients and their families while the patient is going through treatment.
Funds for the OK Kids Korral are raised through the Toby Keith Foundation. Keith served as the foundation’s President, while his wife, Tricia Covel, is the Vice President. The foundation holds several fundraisers during the year, with their Golf Classic being the most notable.
The Golf Classic has raised nearly $18 million to support the OK Kids Korral. Their most successful Golf Classic was held in 2023 when they raised a record-setting $1.8 million.
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The news of the Golf Classic’s continuation comes just days after Keith was honored at the 2024 ACM Awards. Jason Aldean performed a ballad-like rendition of “Should’ve Been a Cowboy” in tribute, which Keith’s family thanked him for and publically praised.
Keith would surely be proud to know that the Golf Classic will continue this year. It will be a bittersweet celebration of his life, legacy, and impact on the world.
Toby Keith was the founder of the Toby Keith Foundation. The foundation helps support the OK Kids Korral, which serves as a home-away-from-home for families with children undergoing cancer treatments. If you’d like to make a donation in Toby’s memory, you can visit the Toby Keith Foundation’s official website here.
