A trail of laughter won't be the only way to spot Jeff Foxworthy among the dozens of celebrities and golfers at the 35th Annual Duke Children's Classic on Saturday and Sunday.
"I'll be the one checking for ticks," said Foxworthy, who along with his wife, Gregg Foxworthy, has served as honorary chair of the fund-raiser since 1993.
"Actually, I'm such an awful golfer that I'll spend most of the time visiting kids at the Duke Children's Hospital," Foxworthy said in a phone interview this week from his Georgia home. "That should be good news for the groundskeepers. They've seen my golf swing. They know what kind of damage can be done."
This is the final year for the Children's Classic, which has raised $14 million for research, clinical care and family support programs at Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center.
Foxworthy, who currently hosts Fox's game show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" earned celebrity status with his trademark "You Might Be A Redneck If -- " jokes and appearances in the popular Blue Collar Comedy tours and movies. He's earned numerous Grammy nominations and comedy awards, and published more than two dozen books. He recently released two new books: Dirt on My Shirt, a children's book of poetry currently on the New York Times best seller list, and How to Really Stink at Golf, a slice-of-life look at Foxworthy's "most challenging" hobby.
Although he admits to being "a class clown who never grew up," Foxworthy is serious about his involvement with the Duke Classic. Coming to Duke each year with his wife "is a highlight of our summer," he said.
"It's not the golf tournament, the shows or the dinner," he said. "To us, it's about the kids in the hospital. It's really bittersweet that this is the last year for the Classic, but that doesn't mean we won't continue visiting the kids. Some of them have stayed in touch with us over the years."
Duke officials say their decision to explore other fund-raising options was not made lightly.
Although the Classic grew to be a premiere celebrity golf tournament, organizers said a recent review determined that the event was no longer viable in its current format. Other options are being explored and Duke Children's Hospital will continue to host its annual Radiothon on MIX 101.5 and the Teddy Bear Ball.
Dr. Samuel L. Katz was chair of Duke's pediatrics department in 1974 when the Classic began under the leadership of singer Perry Como. Katz, professor and chair emeritus in the department, said he attributes the event's success to generous contributions by celebrities such as Como and Foxworthy, countless volunteers and the Duke community.
"Over the past 12 years, Jeff Foxworthy and his family have energetically chaired the Duke Children's Classic, joining with our loyal local volunteers to provide a memorable event for the community while always fulfilling its founding mission: to provide support to Duke Children's Hospital & Health Center to better serve young patients and their families who look to us for hope and healing," Katz said.
Hosting the Classic has provided many heart-warming moments, Foxworthy said.
"A couple of years ago, the folks who organize the Classic surprised Gregg and I by bringing in about 30 kids who had received life-saving care at Duke," he said. "They were all children who had been told years ago that they probably wouldn't make it, but there they were alive and smiling because someone was generous enough to donate money for the research and care that helped them. It was an amazing moment where we realized once again that Duke really does help make miracles happen."
Looking Back at Classic Times
The Duke Children's Classic has always boasted a parade of celebrities, from Jay Leno to Bill Murray, many of whom were attracted by founding honorary chair Perry Como and later Jeff Foxworthy. Above, Glen Campbell chats during a round of golf with local newscaster Larry Stogner during the 1986 Classic. Below, left, a young Michael Jordan, two years out of college, walks the course during the 1986 Classic. Right, Como meets young fans during golf in 1987.
