D-backs hold 10th Celebrity Golf Classic

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- Nearly two hours after the 10th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic had ended, you could still find participants at the Whirlwind Golf Club.

“They are still hanging out talking baseball with our players,” said Debbie Castaldo, the D-backs' senior vice president of corporate and community impact. “You watch these new friendships develop, which is really the neat thing about an event like this. We’ve had sponsors that have been with us from Day One of this event and players who come back year after year.”

More than $2 million has been raised over the 10 years the event has been held, and the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation uses the funds to support initiatives that improve the lives of military personnel. Some of the local organizations that continue to receive funds include: Military Assistance Mission, Folds of Honor Foundation, Soldier’s Best Friend, Catholic Charities MANA House, Marine Corp Scholarship Foundation, USO, Fighter Country Partnership and SEAL Legacy Foundation.

“It’s a lot of fun,” D-backs right-hander Merrill Kelly said. “I love golf, so anytime you ask me to play golf, you don’t have to twist my arm. But obviously, the charity aspect and giving back is important.”

D-backs outfielder Kole Calhoun, a Tempe, Ariz., native, was impressed by the turnout. And apparently, he and teammate Josh Rojas, who is from Litchfield Park, Ariz., made an enjoyable pair to spend the afternoon with.

“The guys that played with Kole Calhoun and Josh Rojas said they will come back next year if they can have Kole Calhoun and Josh Rojas again,” Castaldo said.

Castaldo and her staff are meticulous about how the foursomes are put together. They look for possible common interests and backgrounds to make sure that the day is fun for the participants.

The consensus is that catcher Carson Kelly is the best golfer of Arizona's current players.

“Everyone fights over Carson Kelly because he’s such a great golfer,” Castaldo said.

D-backs reliever Kevin Ginkel opened some eyes, though, when he won the contest for the longest drive. Former big league pitcher and current D-backs radio analyst Tom Candiotti is also no slouch on the course.

“Tom Candiotti is a great golfer, and this is the second time his foursome has been together,” Castaldo said. “They love golfing with him.”

Of course, one of the biggest draws at the tournament is Luis Gonzalez, who delivered the game-winning single in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series.

“The guys from Chase got to play with Gonzo today,” Castaldo said. “They had so much fun and enjoyed him. They knew he was great, but until you spend the whole day with him, you don’t realize just how great of a person he is.”