N.C. State basketball coach Sidney Lowe takes a swing at the Jimmy V. Celebrity Golf Classic.
PINEHURST – About 60 celebrities converged on Pinehurst Sunday to fight cancer using an interesting weapon – golf.
The Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic, named for the late N.C. State basketball coach Jim Valvano, draws sportscasters, actors, coaches and many more famous faces. They all come to fight cancer, the same disease that took Valvano’s life in 1993.
Before he died, Valvano helped found the event to raise money for cancer research. In its 15-year history, it’s already raised more than $13 million.
News 14 Carolina's Conan Gasque has more on the Jimmy V. Celebrity Golf Classic.
Valvano's brother Nick said it's an honor to have so many come out to support the cause.
"It's humbling to see that,” he said. “[Celebrities] like that, the most valuable thing they have is their time. And for them to year after year come to North Carolina in August to play golf is a commitment."
And they came out for many reasons. Wolfpack basketball coach Sidney Lowe, who played for Jim Valvano, said the event is special because of the man it represents.
"I'm just happy that I can be a part of all this," he said.
Other celebrities play because of their own battles with cancer. ESPN anchor Stuart Scott won a battle with appendix cancer this past year.
"This year it means something completely different to me,” he said. “I’ve always helped raise money because it's a good cause, but now when the cause hits you personally, you've got to come, got to be a part of it."
Other notable celebrities at the event Sunday were Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward, former Charlotte Hornets star Dell Curry, N.C. State women’s basketball coach Kay Yow and professional wrestler Bill Goldberg.