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ON0 ON THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018 TORONTO STAR⎮S5 NSPECIALEWS REP0RT: JOE CARTER CLASSIC Sheehan is up for another round NINA DRAGICEVIC SPECIAL TO THE STAR Kelly Sheehan golfs with ex- athletes a lot. As the director of golf sales for Casa de Campo Resort & Villas in the Dominican Republic, she gives lessons, hosts groups, and attends charity functions year- round. And many former sports stars — having found fame on turf, courts and ice rinks — end up cruising through their re- tirements on golf courses. So, of all the sports, which ag- ing athletes make the best golf- ers? RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR “I’ve taught a lot of ex-athletes Host Joe Carter drives off the first tee at the Celebrity Skins Game on Wednesday at Eagles Nest Golf Club in Maple, Ont. over the years — I’d say baseball players, they’re usually the best in the game,” Sheehan says. “Football players, what I’ve found with them is, they had a mentality of always winning be- Still going strong, fore. Golf is a tough sport for them because they were so per- fect at what they did before — and golf is up and down.” There are, however, non-base- ball exceptions: “But you look at a guy like (basketball player) nine years on Steph Curry, he’s probably one of the best golf athletes we have out there.” The fundraiser’s success motivates Toronto baseball legend Sheehan, a PGA and LPGA professional, already has one Joe Carter to set higher goals to positively impact lives Joe Carter Classic Golf Tourna- ment under her belt, returning LIZ BRUCKNER come a staple in a lot of people’s To date, much of the more and kindness of strangers, and this summer after her first stint SPECIAL TO THE STAR calendars, and every year than $2.5 million raised has to witness how that act changes last year. She says it was an easy It’s not every star-studded there’s a host of well-known helped high-risk youth, families the way they view the world.” decision to come back. fundraising tournament that personalities and sponsors who in financial and emotional As for Carter, he says it’s the “I play in a lot of these celebri- can repeatedly build on its want to be part of it,” says need, children living in foster privilege of giving back that mo- ty events, for networking and achievements year after year, James Dodds, co-chairman of care, funded 15 scholarships for tivates him to set higher fund- for my position with Casa de but it’s a feat the Joe Carter the Joe Carter Classic and a TD deserving students who could raising goals year after year. Campo,” Sheehan says. “And I’ll Classic Golf Tournament con- Bank Group vice-president. not have otherwise afforded to “My initial goal in starting this tell you what, I heard a lot about tinues to pull off, even nine “From my perspective, it’s in- pursue post-secondary educa- was to impact lives in a commu- Joe’s event — it being one of the years post-inception. credible to know that after nine tion, and the list goes on. nity I love, and, in particular, best — and it really was.” Ranked as the top celebrity years, the momentum behind According to Valerie McMur- the lives of kids who need it Since launching in 2010, the golf event in North America, this event is continually try, president and CEO of the most. Seeing the success of this Joe Carter Classic has brought the itinerary has included a ce- mounting. There’s constant in- Children’s Aid Foundation, fundraiser over the years has together a wildly eclectic group lebrity skins golf game and a terest from recognizable cur- which is the principal recipient been amazing, and while we of golfers and supporters: from golf tournament at Eagles Nest rent and former athletes, mu- of the funds raised by the tour- purposely don’t mess with the Charles Barkley to Wayne Golf Club in Maple, Ont., and an sicians, actors and comedians, nament, beyond the daily bene- structure of the event — we’ve Gretzky, Trish Stratus to Char- exclusive after-party in Toron- not only because it’s a great fits the money raised has found a formula that works so lie Sheen, Snoop Dogg to John to, and this year, to coincide cause with a wonderful team of brought to the lives of the thou- there’s no need to alter it — Legend. with the 25th anniversary of volunteers working behind the sands of recipients, the contin- there’s always the aim to maxi- After such a successful run in Carter’s epic game-winning scenes to make it seamless, but ual awareness Carter brings to mize our ability to raise more 2017, Sheehan says Casa de home run that earned the Blue also because of the person some of the most neglected, money than the year before.” Campo has decided to return as Jays the 1992/93 World Series championing it,” Dodds says. abused and vulnerable youth in When that happens, he says, it a sponsor and donate a four- win, there was also a Jays game “The bottom line is, Joe Carter Canada has been invaluable. presents a great opportunity to night hotel stay to every partici- on June 19. is a great man and when he’s “What Joe has done is incred- be able to help deserving young pant this year. The game reunited Carter part of something like this, peo- ible, and I can’t say enough men and women further them- “Going into the tournament, I with a host of his former team- ple want to get involved and about how this foundation has selves and succeed in whatever didn’t know much about (the mates and sports celebrities, offer their support.” shined a light on an almost in- they’re pursuing. charity),” she says, “and then to among them: Roger Clemens, It’s this involvement and sup- visible cause while also helping “I believe it’s important that learn that they have raised $2.5 Ed Sprague, and Mitch Wil- port from many sponsors and to make an impact on so many they know we’re in their corner, million to date for the Chil- liams of the Philadelphia Phil- donors that has done much to people in the process,” she says. and that they’re encouraged to dren’s Aid Foundation of Cana- lies, who threw Carter’s series- benefit needy families living in “It’s truly amazing to see some- believe in themselves. Some- da … That’s pretty top-notch of winning pitch. and around the GTA since the one who has never had a help- times it’s outside encourage- Joe to step up to the plate — no “The three-day event (June Joe Carter Classic began in ing hand in their life be com- ment that makes the differ- pun intended there — and re- 19-21 this year) itself has be- 2010. pletely moved by the generosity ence.” ally take care of the founda- tion.” Her profile on the Joe Carter Classic website is quick to state the obvious: Sheehan has been Fuhr won’t shut out recognized as one of the most beautiful women in golf. So, with that title to her name, who would she choose as the most charity tournament beautiful male golfer? “That’s a tough one, there’s so many,” she says and laughs. RACHEL NAUD Aid Foundation of Canada, as “This is one I’d lose sleep over SPECIAL TO THE STAR well as other children’s chari- because I know a lot of the tour Grant Fuhr might be a five-time ties. Fuhr says, in the past, the players and they’d be after me if Stanley Cup winner and a sev- event has seen him golf with I didn’t say their name.” en-time All-Star but, as far as he corporate executives from well- Finally, after a lengthy pause, is concerned, Joe Carter and his known brands including Nike RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR she decides: Mr. Scott is hot. charity event is worthy of the and Air Canada. “It’s always a great event,” former hockey goaltender Grant Fuhr “Everybody loves Adam Scott. brightest spotlight. “You never know who you are says. “And it’s always fun to come back to Toronto.” I would say most people would The former hockey goaltend- going to be paired up with,” says say Adam Scott. I think all of er, best known for his career Fuhr. “That’s part of the fun. he says the best part about par- Desert, Calif. America and Canada would with the Edmonton Oilers, has You get to meet new people.” ticipating is helping the kids. “Hockey and golf are similar,” agree with me on that one.” participated in the Joe Carter He also says the event has “Education is very impor- he says. “As a goalie, you have to Classic at least four or five times awarded him the opportunity tant,” he says. “Participating in concentrate for hours. The and planned his return this to meet other athletes that he, sports is also important. It hand-eye co-ordination in both year. too, admires and wouldn’t have steers youth in the right direc- sports is pretty similar.” “It’s always a great event,” says had the chance to meet other- tion. I think growing up, you Other than that, Fuhr says he’s Fuhr. “And it’s always fun to wise.

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