Batavia, N.Y. (WBEN) - Monday marked the return of the annual Jim Kelly Celebrity Golf Classic held, once again, this year at Terry Hills Golf Course in Batavia.
The 2022 Celebrity Classic in Batavia marks the 35th annual event, with Kelly being back in attendance this year after missing out in 2021 after having an ankle replacement surgery.
"If I would have guessed a long time ago, in no way I thought I'd be here 35 years still doing this. But the good Lord blessed us, and I'm glad we moved from June to August. Weather looks pretty good today, no snow," joked Kelly just before opening tee time.
This year's event also makes its return to Terry Hills, as they're 27-hole course is a perfect space to hold a tournament of this size. Not only that, but the crews working on the tournament every year have always been helpful to Kelly and his crew when planning and putting together this event.
"I just know one thing: I can't do this alone," Kelly said. "I know you invite people, you can only pray that they'll come in, you get to sponsor, and I think we still have some people on the waiting list and we only have so many. That's why we came to Terry Hills to start with, because they have 27 holes. We were having 10-12 foursomes on the waiting list when we had an 18-hole course. We had to have a 20[-hole course]. Now they built this place, it's gorgeous. Plus, they take unbelievable care of us, so Terry, Hills, a huge, huge thank you."
Not only does 2022 mark a return of Kelly to his own tournament, but it is also a way for many Bills Legends, other former Bills players, and even some celebrities to gather to raise money for a number of great causes for charities in Western New York.
"Today is being able to get guys to come out and be supportive," Kelly said. Some of the guys have been here, Bill Polian - 30 out of 35 years - Christopher McDonald, I think, has been here 18 of the last 20, Bruce [Smith], he's been here, Thurman [Thomas]. I mean, I can go on-and-on."
"It's always thrilling to come back. This is a big reunion for us," said former Bills general manager Bill Polian, who was among those on-hand. "You get to see all of the guys that were teammates and many of their families, so that's always wonderful. And it's for such a good cause, $7-$8 million that's been raised for charity throughout Western New York, so honored to be here, thrilled to see everybody, and glad that it's for a good cause."
Another notable name that returned to Western New York for Monday's charity golf tournament was former Bills quarterback Drew Bledsoe. While Bledsoe hasn't been back in the area for quite some time, he know it was time to get back to the area more, and that the Jim Kelly Charity Classic was the right opportunity.
"I bumped into Jim at an event about six, seven months ago and he said, 'Hey, you should come!' And I was like, 'Alright, cool. I'll be here,'" said Bledsoe on Monday.
"Even before I got to Buffalo, just when we'd go to the Quarterback Challenge, he was always a guy that was so welcoming to us young guys. Then when I got here, he kind of really took me under his wing, and was just incredibly kind and generous with me and with our family. He's just a good, good person, so it's great to see him back on his feet and healthy."
McDonald has become well-known in the golf world for his prominent role as "Shooter McGavin" in the popular 1996 film, "Happy Gilmore". Being raised in the Finger Lakes region in Romulus, N.Y., McDonald has become a big Bills fan, and one of the team's biggest celebrity backers.
After missing out on the 2021 event, McDonald was back for Monday's event, and even got the chance to arrive to the tournament in style with Kelly in his car.
"I love the guy, and it's mutual," said the 67-year-old. "Having Jim Kelly, he's like a brother. I love his whole family, I love all the boys, all his brothers are great. ... This is why we do it. We do it for Kelly for Kids. I'm thrilled and honored to be a friend of Jim Kelly's."
"They've been doing this for so long that it's a great, great - this is what it's about - it's a party, interrupted by golf. I've been to a lot of golf tournaments, this is one of the most fun ones on the planet. So I've been blessed to be many, many years here."
On top of the party-like atmosphere at the Jim Kelly Celebrity Classic, McDonald also has some fun with the other golfers, letting his McGavin persona show some life.
"The golf is important, and I've won this thing twice, so Shooter's gonna bring his A-game today," he said. "But it's gonna be a great day, because [of the] perfect weather and it's all for the right cause."