FORE! The Kids: White Sox Charities Holds Annual Celebrity Golf Outing

By Julianne Bartosz

Golf courses provide a peaceful escape for many leisure and professional athletes. For the White Sox, the annual Field of Greens golf outing is a fundraising effort aimed at bringing a similar sense of calm and relief for children battling cancer and their families.

White Sox manager Rick Renteria, various current team members, Sox greats José Contreras and Jon Garland as well as additional alumni, local celebrities and other sports notables joined fans and Chicago White Sox Charities (CWSC) supporters to chip in for charity on July 30. The cumulative efforts at the Beverly Country Club — a new location for the outing — raised about $80,000 for pediatric cancer research and treatment programs at the Ann And Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children’s Hospital. The event was presented by Modelo and supported by the CWSC Corporate Partner Program.

Here’s what some of the celebrities had to say at the event.

White Sox Ambassador Ron Kittle:

“I dress really nice most of the time, but I’m a 15 handicap. I don’t play that much because I’m running around doing other things. […] Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and White Sox Charities do tremendous things. You don’t even read about everything they do. There’s just not enough time.”

Sports legend Bo Jackson:

“This will probably be the only time I golf until next year. It’s for a great cause, and you get to spend quality time with former teammates and other folks. It’s all about charities. The only serious part about this is raising funds for White Sox Charities. Everyone is out here to have fun.”

Sox second baseman Yolmer Sánchez:

“Sometimes you need something different. James Shields is the best; he’s really good at golf. I don’t need any pointers. Sometime when we play together, he gave me some pointers but I forgot them.”

Sox pitcher James Shields on being the best golfer:

“I don’t know if that’s true, but we have a good time out here — away from the baseball field. It’s a great way to relax.”

Legendary broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson:

“When the weather is like this in Chicago, it’s the best place to be. The White Sox have some wonderful people who work here. They work their butts off for White Sox Charities, and it’s just getting started. We’ve got great, loyal sponsors. […] It’s great to come out and see the former players. José Contreras is one of the nicest players you’ll ever meet. Bo Jackson is one of the best athletes.”