Inaugural sports celebrity golf tournament kicks off Friday, Nov. 24
Press release from the Roll Up Network
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Saturday following Thanksgiving is always circled on the calendars for fans of the University of Florida and Florida State University’s football programs. Often referred to as the “Sunshine State Showdown,” it brings the most hardcore college football fans into Gainesville every other year. This year, the Roll Up Network is producing a golf tournament where fans of each respective football program can tee up with national championship award-winning football alumni from each program ahead of the big head-to-head football matchup. The golf tournament will take place from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, at Ironwood Golf Course in Gainesville, and tickets are on sale now for four-man scramble teams and for general admission.
The Roll Up Network is a digital multimedia network that produces digital experiences, in-person activations, and behind-the-scenes content for fans of Florida’s premier college football programs. Founded in 2014 by Founder and CEO Corry “Silkk” Knowles, the company creates immersive experiences for fans before and after gameday, as well as unparalleled access to content often missed by major sports media. The company is the source of multiple sports-affiliated podcasts, including, but not limited to, Stadium and Gale – A Florida Gators podcast and “The Big 3,” which spotlights Florida’s biggest three Division-1 College Football programs – UF, FSU, and Miami.
“The golf tournament idea came from one of our podcast hosts, Kenny Shaw, former NFL and CFL star, and a member of FSU’s 2013 National BCS Championship Team,” says Knowles. “Kenny has found that golf has become a love for him after hanging up the cleats, and he has been introducing the sport to more people of color. Many of our fans are golf enthusiasts or have an interest in the sport, and we thought this would be a great way to connect sports stars to fans and also be able to meet with the community we have built through our live streams of our podcast shows.”
The tournament has already secured stars like 2006 BCS National Championship Winning Gator Quarterback Chris Leak and former NFL star and 2013 BCS National Championship Defensive Tackle Timmy Jernigan, Jr. The golf tournament, which is open to the public, will also have part of its proceeds go to charities of the winning celebrity’s choice.
Sponsorships for the event are going quickly, with a few spots available. Opportunities to sponsor the event range from $250 to $5,000, with the top sponsors being able to play directly on one-to-four-man scrambles with their favorite sports stars.
“We welcome our fans and the general public to take part in this event,” says Knowles. “It’s a great way to kick-off the Sunshine Showdown weekend in Gainesville, and we are very appreciative to Ironwood Golf Course for hosting our event.”
Participation in the golf tournament for a one-to-four-man scramble costs $500 and includes lunch and refreshments. Tickets for the general public to watch are also available, with prices starting at $20.
In addition to the tournament, there will be a number of contests for the public to watch and interact with, including a long-drive contest, a closest-to-the-pin challenge, and a putting contest. Fans can also enjoy a 50/50 raffle and silent auction.